shamus@bcsaic.UUCP (Steven McBride) (05/17/88)
Jim (JF) recently posted a query about problems with house sparrows and
starlings driving bluebirds out of nest boxes. John Gregoire offered to
help via email so the rest of us won't be bored. But I'd like to see
some discussion on the subject.
What are the ways to discourage junk species (house sparrows and
starlings) from using nest boxes? Two articles* I've recently seen
indicated that starlings are discouraged by light -- apparently seeking
dark boxes. How do bluebirds tolerate light? Can translucent tops be
used on boxes? Has anyone done experiments? Any references in the
literature?
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*
Wilmers, Thomas J., "Competition Between Starlings and Kestrels for Nest
Boxes: A Review" in "The Ancestral Kestrel", Raptor Research Foundation,
1987.
Curley, Elizabeth M., Bowman, Reed, and Bird, David M., "Nest Site
Characteristics of Boxes Occupied by Starlings and
Kestrels" in "The Ancestral Kestrel".
Inc.).
--
Opinions expressed are strictly my own:
Shamus Mc Bride uucp: uw-beaver!uw-june!bcsaic!shamus
(206) 865-3401 uw-beaver!uw-june!bcsaic!wsc-sun!slm
internet: shamus@boeing.comjim@hpfcdc.HP.COM (Jim Tear) (05/25/88)
At an Audubon camp, we made bluebird nest boxes that didn't have a top. The logic was bluebirds will nest in the remains of a hollow tree that has broken off at the hollow--leaving just a cavity that is totally open on top. Apparently sparrows and starlings will not use an open topped box. Tree swallows will use an open bow but they're ok. Predators are more of a problem but probably less of a problem than sparrows and starlings. I never got a chance the see an open box in action. The above is only the theory. If you have bluebirds in your area, you could test this theory and report the results to all of us. Jim Tear -- Hewlett-Packard -- Ft. Collins, CO