Predator Guard for Bluebird House to Protect your Bluebirds.

Blue birds are very delicate birds. That’s why it’s important to use a predator guard for bluebird house. Blue birds have predators both on the ground and in the air, so a bluebird house should be protected in a different ways. 

Let’s start with predators in the air and how to protect a bluebird house from them.

 The number one enemy of the bluebird is the house sparrow, also known as the English sparrow. Yes, they may look like cute little birds, but they are actually very aggressive. If sparrows find a suitable nest box that the bluebird has already occupied, they will take over the bluebird’s nest box and destroy its eggs or chicks.

Many people have encountered this problem and found various solutions to keep sparrows away from the bluebird house. Here some interesting sparrow resistant tips.

First: Studies show that sparrows do not favor PVC birdhouses. It is not yet clear why sparrows do not choose to build nests there. However, PVC birdhouses are perfect for bluebirds. Here are instructions on how to build a PVC bluebird house.

Second: Bluebirds are generally tolerant of sunlight entering a birdhouse, while House Sparrows often prefer darker nesting cavities. One interesting way to introduce more light into a bluebird house is by adding a small skylight. Drill a 2.5-inch (7cm) diameter hole in the roof of the birdhouse and cover it with clear plexiglass. This helps keep the birdhouse dry while allowing additional natural light inside, which may discourage sparrows from nesting. Bluebirds, on the other hand, are usually not bothered by the brighter interior and will often nest there comfortably.

Here are instructions: How To Make Skylight On Bluebird house

Woodpeckers and starlings are also enemies of bluebirds. Since these birds are larger than bluebirds, it is easy to protect bluebirds from them. Use the metal entrance hole predator guard for the bluebird house. This metal protection prevents woodpeckers and starlings from enlarging the entrance hole. Here are some different predator guards for the bluebird house, click the picture to get it.

This video shows how quickly a woodpecker can destroy a birdhouse and kill chicks without predator guard.

Ground predator guard for bluebird

Ground predators for bluebirds include various snakes, cats, opossums, raccoons, and some other animals that can climb and potentially destroy a bluebird house.

The best guards to use are various baffles. They are easy to install and serve as excellent predator guards for bluebird houses. Here, you can find a variety of baffles and other predator guards for bluebird houses, click the picture to get it.

Slinky predator guard

A properly installed Slinky helps protect bluebird nests from many common predators, including raccoons, cats, squirrels, opossums, rats, and some snakes that climb poles. While it won’t stop predators that can jump directly onto the nest box from nearby trees or fences, it greatly reduces the risk of attacks from animals approaching from the ground.

Installing a Slinky takes only a few minutes. First, mount your bluebird house on a smooth metal pole. Next, slide a standard metal Slinky over the top of the pole before attaching the birdhouse, or remove the birdhouse temporarily if it’s already installed. Secure the top coil just below the nest box with a hose clamp, zip tie, or sturdy wire, then let the rest of the Slinky hang freely. The bottom should hang a few inches above the ground so it can expand and move freely. Finally, make sure there are no nearby branches, fences, or posts that predators could use to bypass the guard.

Although a Slinky provides excellent protection, it works best when combined with proper birdhouse placement in an open area. Together, these simple steps can dramatically improve the chances of a successful bluebird nesting season.

Here is a video about predator guard for blue bird house.

However, if you have snakes in your area, use birdhouse snake guard like in the picture below and bluebirds are safe from snakes. 

Click the picture to get this birdhouse.

Steel Wire Mesh Bluebird Predator Guard

The Steel Wire Mesh Bluebird Predator Guard is a simple upgrade that can make a big difference in protecting your bluebird nest box. Made from durable stainless steel, it creates a tunnel around the entrance hole that makes it much harder for raccoons, cats, snakes, and other predators to reach inside. At the same time, bluebirds can enter and leave the nest without any problems once they become familiar with the guard. The weather-resistant construction won’t rust or warp, so it provides reliable protection season after season. If you want to give nesting bluebirds an extra layer of safety, this predator guard is an affordable and highly effective addition to almost any bluebird house.