Imagine a backyard filled with the cheerful songs of bluebirds, their vibrant feathers darting through the trees. Attracting these beautiful creatures to your yard is easier than you might think. With a few simple changes, you can create a welcoming space that appeals to bluebirds, offering them food, shelter, and a haven. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting, these easy-to-implement tips will help turn your outdoor space into a bluebird paradise. Let’s dive in!

1. Install Nesting Boxes

Bluebirds are cavity nesters, so they rely on natural or man-made cavities to build their nests. By providing a suitable nesting box, you give them a safe, cozy place to raise their young. Make sure the box is designed specifically for bluebirds, with a hole diameter of about 1.5 inches, which is ideal for their size. The box should also be placed in a quiet area, away from predators, and at a height of 5-10 feet, preferably near open spaces. Adding a nesting box can increase the chances of attracting bluebirds, as they are highly likely to reside if the conditions are right.

2. Provide Mealworms

One of the quickest ways to attract bluebirds to your backyard is by offering a tasty meal. Bluebirds are insectivores and mealworms, the larvae of darkling beetles, are a favorite treat. You can place them in a specialized feeder designed for bluebirds, or scatter them on the ground where they like to forage. Mealworms provide essential protein and are particularly attractive to bluebirds in the breeding season when they need extra energy for themselves and their young. Offering mealworms consistently can encourage regular visits.

3. Plant Native Berry-Producing Shrubs

Native plants are not just a great addition to your garden, they also help support local wildlife, including bluebirds. Berry-producing shrubs such as dogwood, serviceberry, and elderberry offer natural food sources that bluebirds enjoy. These berries become a crucial part of their diet, especially in the fall and winter. By planting these shrubs in your backyard, you’re creating a welcoming environment with a food supply that’s both nutritious and abundant, perfect for attracting bluebirds to stay around.

4. Maintain Open Spaces

Bluebirds are happiest when they have space to hunt and forage. They prefer open, grassy areas where they can easily spot insects on the ground. Keeping part of your backyard open and free from dense vegetation allows bluebirds to fly in and out while searching for food safely. If your yard is too densely vegetated, it might feel unsafe for bluebirds. By maintaining open spaces, you’re offering them the perfect environment to hunt for insects and to feel secure in their surroundings, making it more likely that they will visit.

5. Install Birdbaths or Provide Water Sources

Like all birds, bluebirds need fresh water to drink and bathe in. A birdbath can attract bluebirds to your backyard, especially during hot weather. They love to take a quick dip to cool off and clean their feathers, essential for their grooming. Placing a birdbath in a quiet, safe spot can make it a regular stop for bluebirds. You can also add a small fountain for moving water, which is even more attractive to bluebirds since they are more likely to visit flowing water sources.

6. Avoid Pesticides

Bluebirds rely on insects as a primary food source, so it’s important to create an environment where their food is plentiful. Pesticides, while effective at eliminating unwanted pests, also kill the insects that bluebirds rely on for nourishment. By avoiding pesticides in your garden, you allow insects like beetles, moths, and grasshoppers to thrive, providing a healthy and consistent food source for bluebirds. A pesticide-free environment encourages not only bluebirds but also other beneficial wildlife to visit your yard.

7. Use Proper Bird Feeders

While bluebirds can forage for insects, they also appreciate a feeder that caters to their diet. A mealworm feeder, designed specifically for bluebirds, can make it easier for them to find food in your backyard. These feeders often have special designs to keep larger, more aggressive birds like starlings from taking over. By providing mealworms in a feeder, you offer bluebirds a convenient and reliable food source. Bluebirds will quickly learn where the food is, and it becomes a regular feeding spot for them.

8. Limit Competition from Aggressive Birds

In the bird world, not all species play well together, and aggressive birds like starlings and house sparrows can often outcompete smaller, more peaceful birds like bluebirds for food and nesting sites. To attract bluebirds, it’s important to limit competition by managing your feeders and nesting boxes. You can use specialized bluebird feeders that only allow smaller birds to access the food or place your feeders and boxes in locations that are difficult for aggressive species to reach. Keeping your yard a safe space for bluebirds ensures they feel comfortable visiting.

9. Place Perches Nearby

Bluebirds love to perch as they survey their surroundings for food. Placing perches such as small trees, poles, or fence posts around your yard provides bluebirds with ideal resting spots. These perches allow bluebirds to keep an eye out for insects and potential threats. By creating a network of perches throughout your yard, you encourage bluebirds to feel secure enough to stay longer, whether they’re searching for food or simply enjoying the surroundings. This added comfort can help them become regular visitors to your backyard.

10. Create Safe Nesting Zones

Bluebirds, like many birds, are cautious and vulnerable to predators, particularly cats and raccoons. To create an environment that attracts bluebirds, you need to make sure their nesting zones are safe. Installing a predator guard on your nesting box can keep larger animals from gaining access. It’s also important to place your nesting boxes in quiet, sheltered areas of your yard away from busy pathways or areas frequented by predators. By offering a safe and quiet nesting environment, you provide bluebirds with the peace of mind they need to settle in and raise their young.

Love Pets as Much as We Do?

Scroll up and click the ‘Follow’ button to stay updated with the latest heartwarming, hilarious, and helpful pet posts from Pawdown, delivered straight to your Microsoft Start feed and MSN homepage!