Bird Nest Boxes For Beginners
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- Опубліковано 2 лис 2024
- Providing bird nest boxes is a great ways to help cavity nesting birds.
Nest Boxes: rb.gy/w9xguj
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Mark McKellar is a wildlife biologist with over 35 years of bird study experience. He has a degree in Fish and Wildlife Sciences from North Carolina State University and has worked for the Department of the Army, the Wildlife Departments of North Carolina and Missouri. He ran nature centers for many years in Missouri and Pennsylvania before buying the Backyard Bird Center in the Northland area of Kansas City. Mark has led hundreds of bird hikes both locally and abroad. He has taught classes about birds and other wildlife to groups of all ages and brings that knowledge to the customers of his retail business every day. More information about Mark at backyardbirdce...
#marksbackyardbirds, #birdnest, #backyardwildlife
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MANY THANKS TO MY CUSTOMERS WHO SUBMIT THEIR PHOTOS
Cover photo of an Eastern Screech Owl by Linda Williams
oh my gosh thank you for choosing my request!! so excited for this 😊
Great show Mark. I definitely had to add the metal ring/insert around the hole. Squirrels, and other birds would either chew or peck the hole to make it bigger.
As an aside I had an old 60ft dead tree. I almost cut is down before I realized there where red headed woodpecker nesting it which are rare in northern Illinois. That tree will now stand until mother nature takes it down.
For Cardinals have found that they love the "grapevine balls". I made several 14" ones for my mother and it turns out the Cardinals nest in them every Spring. It seems they are the perfect compromise between a cavity(predator resistant) and an open nest.
excellent info! thank you so much. installing nest boxes is the next step for my back yard and this definitely sets me up for success. I'm also going to send this video to my husband too so we can both get started!
Great video! Thanks Mark!
Thanks!
Appending to previous comment: I felt like I raised 12 bluebirds, but of course had little to actually do with it, Mom and Dad bluebird did the heavy lifting.
So very true!
This was super helpful, as I'm thinking about putting up boxes next year. What are your thoughts on putting up a box directly onto the house? Or should it always be situated on a pole? Thanks!
The problem with boxes mounted on the house is generally foot traffic. If it in a low traffic area, they can work.
We had three very large trees cut down in our neighborhood this year. I assume that means there will be lots of birds looking for new places to nest. What would you suggest for nest boxes for Northern Utah? Do the Robin nest platforms work?
I would think that a Western Bluebird house would be well received by Mountain Bluebirds, and even Violet-green Swallow. Small boxes would likely get attention from chickadees, nuthatches and wrens.
@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you so much!
@ glad to help!
Hey Mark,
Your video raised a question for me:
You stated that nest boxes help replace tree cavities that may have diminished due to habitat loss. So here is the question: I raised 12 bluebirds this season. Where are they all going to find their own permanent dwelling, provided they all survive, which of course they likely will not? If some perish simply because they can’t find dwelling cavities, that kind of sucks.
Yes, unfortunately, most wild birds die within the first year of their life. Some because they just don’t learn the skills needed to survive quick enough but habitat loss and nest spot competition are factors as well.
Hi, I love your videos. I have a question.
How far does a nest box have to be from a bird feeder or does it matter?
Thank you. I do not like them too close to feeders as the males will be wanting to keep everyone away from his box. I would place it at least 20 to 30 feet away if possible.
@@MarksBackyardBirds alright I had a 28mm/1- 1/8 inch predator hold plate on my nest box after watching this video I am changing it to a 32mm/1-1/4 inch predator hole plate. I have a webcam in my box I can’t wait until my first chickadee resident comes searching I live in Indiana so I am not sure when they come. Thank you for answering my previous question.
Hey Mark,
In the video, over you on the top shelf, near the middle, is a box with a slot at the top instead of a hole. I think I read somewhere that this will discourage house sparrows from building in this box. Would you mind commenting on this style of nesting box for Eastern Bluebirds?
Thanks so much!
The slot opening design is one of many that “claim” to discourage House Sparrows. I have found that they may work for a period of time but the sparrows tend to figure them out pretty quickly. They are typically designed for Tree Swallows.
I started building tree swallow houses,You Tube channel Greg Judy regenerative (if not allowed delete) has a great video on it. He’s from your neck of the woods. Trying to help the fly problem for my nieces horses,would love your opinion!
That is a good, simple design. They are great birds and know several folks who have had them nest in bluebird boxes. The tree swallow folks I looked at a while back want the inside floor dimensions to by 5X5 inches. There are also designs with the slot opening and even one that has three holes drilled in the front so three young can poke their heads out for food being delivered. The swallow group are among the most ecologically import groups of birds in the world.
@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and give me your opinion!