You are here:

Bluebirds/Woodpeckers pecking bluebird house

Advertisement

Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 2/25/2008


Question
I live in Crystal River Florida and have just put up a bluebird house.  Within a day "Homer and Marge" have decided they like the condo.  However, I keep having to chase off a woodpecker that is pecking around the entrance hole.  Are woodpeckers threats?  No nest yet.  How can we protect the hole.  Tried to buy a washer at Home Depot, but they didn't have one large enough.  Thank you

Answer
No, they are not a threat but they can be a nuisance, and squirrels sometimes enlarge entrances also. I have a 3 mile 100 box line and I am going to have to repair some too. I have some 4" X 4" 1/4" inch plywood blocks with 1 and 1/2 inch holes that I screw on over enlarged holes. Some people make these out of aluminum sheeting or formica, but I think wood is more natural.

If you will send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book. Bluebird Bob Walshaw.

Bluebirds

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

Questions about setting up and monitoring Eastern Bluebird houses. This includes where and how to put up houses, trouble shooting, fighting predators, especially the killer house sparrows and helping other small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Carolina Wrens, etc.

Experience

20 years with a 100+ box Bluebird trail which has been accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail. Talks on Bluebirds to many organizations.

Organizations
North American Bluebird Society, Audubon Society local and national, Oklahoma Bluebird Society, OK Furbearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Birds and Blooms, Oklahoma Today and many other publications.

Education/Credentials
BS, MBA, Cornell University Bird Biology course

Awards and Honors
Blue Cross Ageless Hero, Red Cross Everyday Hero, North American Bluebird Society Awards, Oklahoma Bluebird Society Lifetime Award.

Past/Present Clients
Many

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.