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Birding/Hanging bluebirdhouses

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Expert: - 4/30/2011


Question
do you have specifics on the best direction and how high to hang boxes for eastern bluebirds?

Answer
Bluebirds like to nest in open areas—a hole in a fencepost is a typical location. When locating a bluebird birdhouse, keep a few things in mind:

An ideal site is near a wooded area but open on all sides.
Face the nest box away from the prevailing winds for shelter.
The box should be between one and two meters above the ground.
Nest boxes are sometimes raided by predators: a smooth pole or a post with a baffle below the box will help keep squirrels, raccoons, etc. away.
Have the nesting box in place by the end of February—bluebirds start nesting in March.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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