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I’m new to bluebird monitoring and had a nest box in my backyard; however, it is not specific to bluebirds nor an approved design. The box was actually built for me by a friend before I developed interest in small birds. I did have a pair of bluebirds that I believe were successful recently, with the little ones fledging on May 25. I’m not completely convinced of this for several reasons, but that is another topic.
I have now obtained an appropriate bluebird box (NABS approved) and am considering switching out the boxes. However, the male and possibly the same female appear to be preparing for another clutch, with the male in/out and around the box, sometimes for frequent than others and the female around the area on occasion. I’m concerned about disrupting process.
Should I switch these boxes out now or wait until the season is over? The current box is mounted in a manner and location recommended on various reliable information sources for bluebirds.
It’s hard to know, what to do. You’ll have to just make the final decision. Here’s my thoughts though.
The bluebirds could just be curious. They start looking at other nestboxes even while they have a nest full of babies. They love to peek in holes.
Usually it takes a few more days than a week for them to start new nests but it does happen. They are usually out training and feeding their fledglings.
What makes that nestbox undesirable? Does it open so you can monitor the nest? If it doesn’t have anything really wrong with it then I would just leave it until the end of this next nesting cycle. But I also think that if you went out and put up the other nestbox quickly that they wouldn’t have any problem bonding with that box. But I hate to tell you to do that and then have them disappear. It’s a guessing game.
If you can’t open the box to monitor then that’s an issue. The most fun part of being a bluebird landlord is watching what happens in your box and it’s wise too so you know if you need to step in and help.
Is the box deep enough? Or is it more like a house wren smaller box? That would be another big problem.Is there nesting material already in the box? How much? Half of a nest? That’s might sway me to let them nest.
Here’s a last suggestion: How quickly can you switch boxes? If it’s a quick procedure, put it up on a day where he is investigating the box and see if he is curious about this new box and goes in. If he does than you are safe. You could even put it up temporarily besides the older box. I once used a pitch fork to do a temporary box. I stuck the pitch fork in the ground and somehow attached a box to it temporarily. I think I did it to trap House Sparrows.
Keep us posted on what you do.Tammy
Thanks so much. For several reasons you’ve mentioned, the current box isn’t appropriate, primarily because I can’t easily access the interior of the box and the design, while very clever and attractive, makes the pair and young vulnerable to predators. After researching bluebirds, I was actually surprised and then concerned when the bluebirds took interest beginning mid April, later producing young.
I can switch the boxes out fairly quickly so I believe I’ll roll the dice. I’ll let the forum know of the results.
@Beck2014 Sounds like you decided to switch the box. I think that is the right decision.
You answered a question I was forming in my mind as I read down the thread.
If your setup isn’t safe for the birds, you have to fix it. And as @tamsea says, from your description of things, it might be the birds are just inspecting the property. It could be worse if you had nestlings and trying to figure out how to block or repel some predator.
My opinions.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
Switch made. Without bogging down too much in the details, I don’t think it was the worst of circumstances (granted, from a rookie’s perspective), but given the criteria on this site and others, it was warranted switching out the boxes even if it disrupts the pair for the time being. It will be interesting to see what unfolds.
Whatever happens, I think you needed to do the switch. But I’m putting down my bet now that the birds will carry on as if nothing happened.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
Haha yep, I had done the prep, but wanted some feedback from the forum before doing the switch. They’ll never guess I’d been there.
Update… Happy to report that after the new box was installed on 6/2/2025, within 5 hrs both the female and male were checking out the box to include the interior. Through this morning, 6/11, both are routinely in the yard area each day with the male frequently bringing nest material. The female is rarely on or in the box and only once seen bringing a small twig into the box (video).
My wife and I have been able to verify there are fledglings from the previous box. On 6/4 two fledglings were with the female on the ground and another (6/9) landing with the female on top of the new box while the male was bringing in nest material. This morning, 6/11, a fledgling was with the female perched on the privacy fence, following her to the ground and then back up to the perch.
Pleased with the pattern so far and hope there will be another clutch.
I think this question is still relevant to this thread… Would it create any issues reinstalling the previous, nonconforming box in my backyard, positioned 65 feet away from the new approved bluebird box? The two boxes would be separated and views of each other blocked by a group of trees and palmettos.
I’m aware of the instructions to place bluebird boxes 100+ yards from each other, but this former box, as mentioned above, isn’t a bluebird box. It was a nicely handcrafted gift and also, I thought some other breed of bird might use it. Edit: We do have a variety of birds and so far fortunate to not have any house sparrows. Did have one isolated occasion when a curious chickadee landed on the former box while active. The male quickly ran it away.
As a reminder (see above) this original box was removed June 2 and replaced with the approved box. The pair has been active in the yard through yesterday and dad has been bringing nesting material to the new box. I did check the interior yesterday (June 13) and the nest is quite large. The fledglings were also still present as of yesterday.
I personally don’t see the distance as an issue. If that were the only concern, I would say give it a try. My neighbor and I each have a bluebird box separated by a high privacy fence and vegetation.
My hesitation would be using a decorative bird house to host nesting birds. If it attracts a nesting pair and then ends up being harmful or unsafe for the adults or the young, that’s bad.
Another risk may be you attract a bird species that you don’t want, or it becomes a home for another unwanted species (like wasps?). On this, if you are able to keep an eye on the bird house, you can do whatever needed to head off problems.
Summary: The welfare of the birds is what matters, and the potential for there to be a severe problem before you know it is the concern. Anything else that you can manage without endangering the birds is worth trying. Just my opinion.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
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