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[Phyl]

*Here is a list of 'some' suppliers:

Ant deterrent (Tanglefoot)
Forestry Suppliers, Inc. 1-800-647-5368, Tree Tanglefoot Pest Barrier Item # 79099 Quantity: 5 pound tub (a small plastic bucket) Cost: $24.95 plus shipping.
Snow Pond Farm Supply (under Traps & Lures or Animal Control)
Biocontrol Network (under Products, Traps & Lures, arrow down to name)

Birdbaths and birdbath heaters
Backyard Birds & Discovery Center
BestNest.com
Bluebird Nut
Duncraft.com
Wildlife Habitat Store
Don't forget to check out local suppliers

Books
See my earlier posts #s 75-85 this thread

Diatomaceous earth for mites
Food grade diatomaceous earth - buy at a garden or feed/farm store.

Feeders
Birds-I-View - by Steve Garr, large flat roof and interior (9.25x9.5"), wire sides, velcro-ed dish that allows sifting out of mealworm bedding. Also sell a plexiglas sided feeder with roof and floor made of recycled plastic. Both are starling-proof.
Bluebird Nut - vinyl coated wire cages with removable cups, roof, designed for bluebirds (mealworms or suet), fast shipping. Starling proof, Mockingbird resistant. Designed to hang. Also Van Ert Luring Feeder.

Duncraft.com - Cage within a cage wire feeder with roof and floor. Good for suet cakes, easy to refill (roof lifts). Mealworms will escape.
Nestbox Builder - Fred Stille makes the mealworm feeder designed by Steve Gilbertson. He also makes HIGH QUALITY nestboxes.

Wild Birds Forever - including Droll Yankee X-1 "seed-saver" feeder (not starling proof)
Wildlife Habitat Store

[Phyl]

... a list of 'some' suppliers, continued

Hole Reducers ("Squirrel Tooth Benders")
("Squirrel Tooth Benders" are not a trap. To prevent HOSP entry, use smaller than 1.25")
DIY solution: put metal tacks around edge of hole.

The Bird Watcher's General Store (under "birdhouses")
Bluebird Nut - also carries Peterson oval hole guards.
Erva.com - (Nature House) round, metal
Call Wild Bird Crossing at 508 347-BIRD
Wild Bird Habitat Store
Wild Birds Unlimited (request reduced price for bulk order) "doesn't appear to  be available through their website'
1.5" sizes from:
A Bird's Home
Anything Bluebirds
Homes for Bluebirds (copper)

HOSP Deterrent - House Sparrow, Magic Halo
Sparrow Free Magic Halo Repeller. Bird-X used to make them, and Wild Bird Habitat stores and Amazon carried them, but nobody seems to have them anymore. You would have to make your own - see http://www.sialis.org/halo.htm

[Phyl]

... a list of 'some' suppliers, continued

Nestboxes and accessories
List NABS approved boxes here. See info on nestbox styles pros and cons. NOTE THAT BOXES THAT DO NOT OPEN FOR MONITORING ARE NOT RECOMMENDED!
Check first with a state or local bluebird society. Wildlife-related non-profit organizations may offer basic NABS-style boxes as low as the $5-8 to $25 price range. Some organizations may also offer volume discounts. Sales from bluebird societies help bluebirds!


Ahlgren Construction Company - Original Peterson style. Sadly, Dave Ahlgren passed away in 2007 and his boxes are no longer available.
Andrew Troyer's: The Bird's Paradise, 20835 Morris Road, Conneautville, PA 16406
(800) 872-0103
Backyard Bird Lover: Gilbertson nestbox (made by Merlin Lehman 574-825-8739 then #1, sold through Amazon)
Best Nest - search for "Rubicon" to see boxes made of recycled plastic - supposedly will last 100 years.
Birdhouse Chick - in Georgia. Bluebird houses, feeders, and bird baths, leaf misters. Also live worms limited to certain areas. Overnight shipping for $9.95 for some areas. Note: Boxes that do not open for monitoring are NOT recommended by NABS.
Birding Depot - note: sells open top "Bauldry" boxes no longer recommended by NABS.
Birds-I-View: small business also has gifts, great little chickadee boxes.
Bluebird Nut - Audubon, Rubicon, Coveside, Gilbertson, Gilwood, etc.
Bluebird Housing - rustic log houses with removable roofs
Bluebirds Across Nebraska - very reasonably priced, well made modified Gilbertson and Troyer boxes. Great quality, reasonably priced Gilwood box with a neat rubber hinge at the bottom of the door.
Joe Finn Boxes: boxes with ventilation, predator protection and sparrow traps, etc. (617) 876-9168
Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania - very reasonable prices and sales help bluebirds. They sell Troyer and Gilbertson boxes. I have gotten starlings in their Troyer, and found it hard to set VanErt traps in them.
Duncraft.com
Forschner bit - source of 1 9/16" for making larger entrance holes on your own boxes.

[Phyl]

... a list of 'some' suppliers, continued
Nestboxes and accessories, continued

Gilbertson (and traps): Steve Gibertson no longer manufactures bluebird products. You can buy a Gilbertson PVC box sometimes at Amazon: buy Gilbertson PVC or get them from BRAW.
Homes for Bluebirds, Inc. Nice looking boxes by Jack Finch. Fax/mail in order (can't order online.) Comes with metal hole guard. Made of solid wood; roof covered with aluminuml for durability.
Kentucky Four Seasons Bluebird Nestboxes - Bill Freels, (270) 443-7985, w.freels"at"worldnet.att.net, cooperating wtih Jackson Purchase Audubon Society. Profits donated to Jackon Purchase. $20.00. Solid construction, innovative bowed fiberglass roof, adjustable plexiglass vent covers.
Ned's Nesting Boxes - handbuilt by a charter member of the Missouri Bluebird Society - nice quality, screws, large overhanging roofs, kerfs, comes with information sheet. Gilbertson boxes also available. 630.269.8267
Nestbox Builder - Fred Stille makes HIGH QUALITY standard NABS style boxes, X-boxes and a Gilwoods, and custom designs.
New York Bluebird Society - click on "for sale" link. Herman Bressler white pine bluebird nestbox (slightly larger than standard NABS box), oval or round hole.
North American Bluebird Society - not currently selling boxes. See other local bluebird societies listed here.
Peterson boxes: Bill Moore [email protected] (612) 280-8655; cell (651) 439-6158; address 12990 Otchipwe Ave North Stillwater MN 55082. He makes boxes like Dave Ahlgren (his neighbor) did, but with the rough edges smoothed down.
The Woodpecker - Gregory Seaford, 5380 Goodman Lake Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146, (704) 636-6238, ghseaford"at"carolina.rr.com (replace "@" with "at"). Southern yellow pine NABS style boxes. Nice to deal with, fast shipment (no hidden charges), willing to work with you want, will paint/stain. Also available on e-Bay.
Southern California Bluebird Club - hanging boxes $15 plus shipping and Purvis lifters
Troyer boxes - great price from Bluebirds Across Nebraska. These boxes are not preferred by House Sparrows.
Wild Bird Habitat Store
Wild Birds Unlimited - also offers pole with brace
Wild Wing Co.: various nestboxes and live traps
Woodstock CT: Teri Stohlberg, 860-481-9003, Audubon Society standard with hole guard and 1.5" round hole,

[Phyl]

... a list of 'some' suppliers, continued
Nestbox Cams
Birding Depot - Birdhouse Spy Cams under birdhouse accessories
The BirdShed.Com - Birdhouse Spy Cams, cable, computer connection, etc. 110% low price guarantee, but shipping on my first order was not fast, regular price on Hawkeye is not the lowest out there
Harborfreight.com - weatherproof security camera with night vision
Sams Club - Wisecom Color Infrared - cheap
Shaw Creek Bird Supply - color and black and white cams, also pre-installed in nestboxes.
Spyonabird used to sell solar/battery set ups, pre-installed in a box, but they closed in 2018.
Supercircuits - focus is on expensive security systems and wireless. Also have 110% low price guarantee. Website search function rots. Make sure you get an exterior cam.
The Bluebird Nut - Hawkeye and Wingscapes
TV Celeb-Birdies - Birdhouse Spy Cams
Windy City Parrot - Night Owl Night Vision cameras and accessories
Call Dave at (800) 764-8688. Decent set-up for less than $100 with a 50' wire that supplies power and transmits the signal back to a TV or computer. May not be infrared. (This info is from a Bluebird_L post)

[Phyl]

... a list of 'some' suppliers, continued

Mealworms
See 'Suppliers' post
Predator Baffles
See Suppliers

Solar Screen
SparrowTraps.net - ready made, adjustable, weather resistant. Additional mounts and rolls of mylar available.
Mylar: You can use Happy Birthday signs available at card shops/party stores, or buy "bird scare tape" from places like SparrowTraps.net or nursery supply houses.
Sparrow Chaser made by Gene Wasserman, sold through the Michigan Bluebird Society. Easy to install - I am testing them now. Mounts on the back of the box/roof edge, uses bird scare tape that attaches to a wire circle above the roof.
Sparrow Shield made by Gene Wasserman, sold through the Michigan Bluebird Society. Easy to install - I am testing them now. Mounts on the back of the box/roof edge, uses thick flourescent wire. Intended to function like a Magic Halo, which was developed to keep HOSP away from bird feeders.
Sparrow Spookers
See more extensive list of suppliers under HOSP Management. See Trap Review by Paula Z.

Suet
Avian Cuisine is a commercially available formulated wild bird diet. It is available as crumbles, logs, and blocks in three flavors. I have not tried it, but Felicia Lovelett of the MD Bluebird Society recommended it. http://www.natureskeepers.com/our_products.html

[Phyl]

... a list of 'some' suppliers, continued

Traps - House Sparrow or starling
NESTBOX (Inbox) TRAPS (Also see DIY links) -
Bauldry Trap - sources
Bolt Trap: Order directly from Mel Bolt (Traps) at 1515 Crosswind Ct. Wooster, OH 44691. You can email him for information at mellen"at"sssnet.com (replace "at" with @).
Gilbertson Trap - BackyardBirdlover or PCMA
Homes for Bluebirds - Jack Finch
Peterson Trap - Ahlgren Construction Company 12989 Otchipwe Ave. N Stillwater, MN 55082 (651)430-0031
PMCA Insert Trap - Huber style, does NOT fit in all style nestboxes
Purple Martin house insert traps - other styles
Van Ert Traps - Floyd Van Ert - universal, PVC, urban (nestbox with trap installed).
GROUND TRAPS
Bird-B-Gone repeating trap - I have not tested this one.
Brad Biddle's trap with no moving parts. Nicely constructed, large door. Contact: yard1man"at"charter.net. NO LONGER MADE.
Cedar Valley Ground Trap is no longer available - Afton Cedar Works (run by Phil Leuthe) is closed.
Deluxe Repeating Sparrow Trap (DRST) by Blaine Johnson. Elevator trap, practically escape-proof. My personal favorite. $59.95 plus shipping based on location.
Bruce Jenkins trap. Formerly sold on eBay - no longer available?
Kness funnel trap - retails for about $60.
ST-1 - Purple Martin Conservation Association
PMCA Repeating Bait Trap - Purple Martin Conservation Association
Wire Sparrow Trap - Purple Martin Conservation Association
Troyer V-Top Trap Plans

Videos
See my post #88


Window clings
See 'Gifts' earlier in this list

[Phyl]

... a list of 'some' suppliers, continued
Gifts - also see Nature Related Gift Ideas
Of course a bird bath, or nestbox with a good basic bluebird book also make excellent presents. Also see a list of nature-related gift suggestions.

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Disney's Sing-A-Long Songs
Animal Den - labels, ornaments, coasters, flags, jewely, plush toy, puppets, sign, clothing, etc.
Bank Checks - Backyard Birds (also address labels) at www.checkgallery.com
Birds-I-View: small business owned by bluebirders with a lovely selection of gifts
Bluebird finger puppet Folkmanis Mini Bluebird Finger Puppet
Bluebird Key Chain - Wild Republic Eastern Bluebird Plush Clip, Stuffed Animal, Bird Toys for Kids, Birders, 4"
Bluebird Nut - jewelry, home decor, Mad Bluebird items, prints, cards, calendars, collectibles, etc. Bluebird Gift Shop - clothing, pictures, calendars, cards
Books - bluebirds, general birding, children's bluebird books
Bookmark - bluebird notecards. Bookmark, P.O.Box 335, Delafield, WI 53018 (414) 646-4499
Eastern Bluebird II, 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Made by BuffaloBuffalo games - 500 piece puzzles
Breezy Singer Eastern Bluebird - realistic looking lifesize plastic, motion detector triggers song
Takara Tomy Bluebird Breezy Singers Outdoor Solar Powered (do not put outdoors as it may disturb nesting birds)
Clock - "Identiflyer" alarm desk clock with various bird sounds (on song cards) including bluebird
DEEP - (State of CT) - bluebird greeting cards in tin
Embroidery.com - patterns
Flags with bluebirds on them - various styles and sizes available
Glass bluebirds - hand-blown, Terra Studios
Willow Tree Happiness - ornament or figurine by Susan Lourdi with bluebirds on shoulder (one of my personal favorites)
Jim Rathert Photography - lovely mugs, mouse pads, coasters with original bird photography. 573.634.5446
License plates with bluebirds on them - Airstrikeinc.com
Michaelian Home - needlepoint pillow
Miles Kimball - Mad Bluebird items, calendar, swinging bluebirds
Nancy Bell of Gakona, Alaska - unique bluebird necklace. She does not have a website, but does have an email address: bell5"at"alaska.net (replace "@" with "at")
National Wildlife Federation (search for "bluebird) - Mad Bluebird apparel, ornaments, lamps, flatware, lamp, dinnerware, vase, etc.
Wild Republic Audubon Birds Eastern Bluebird Plush with Authentic Bird Sound, Stuffed Animal, Bird Toys for Kids and Birders- Singing plush bluebird toy
Wood Bird Online - lifesize, realistic basswood carving of bluebirds and other birds

[Phyl]

Native American Bluebird Mythology

https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/HowtheBluebirdGotitsColor-Pima.html

https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Bluebird_And_The_Coyote-Pima.html

*Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2020

[Phyl]

Native American Bluebird Mythology, continued

Bluebird and Coyote
Children's book based on the legend of how Bluebird got her color.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0749694211/natilangofthe-20

Birds of Algonquin Legend:
    Interesting collection of legends about bluebirds and other birds in Algonquian tribes.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0472106112/natilangofthe-20

Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend, and Superstition:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385342489/natilangofthe-20   A good book on the role of birds in world mythology, including North and South America.

[Phyl]

Native American folklore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebird_of_happiness

Among some Native Americans, the bluebird has mythological or literary significance.

According to the Cochiti tribe, the firstborn son of Sun was named Bluebird. In the tale "The Sun's Children", from Tales of the Cochiti Indians (1932) by Ruth Benedict, the male child of the sun is named Bluebird (Culutiwa).

The Navajo identify the mountain bluebird as a spirit in animal form, associated with the rising sun. The "Bluebird Song" is sung to remind tribe members to wake at dawn and rise to greet the sun:

Bluebird said to me,
"Get up, my grandchild.
It is dawn," it said to me.

The "Bluebird Song" is still performed in social settings, including the nine-day Ye'iibicheii winter Nightway ceremony, where it is the final song, performed just before sunrise of the ceremony's last day.

Most O'odham lore associated with the "bluebird" likely refers not to the bluebirds (Sialia) but to the blue grosbeak.[3]

[Phyl]

Why does Blue Bird Sing?
Bluebirds give this song in all seasons as a way of keeping in touch with each other or to signal nestlings that adults are bringing food. When bluebirds get too close to each other, they let each other know with a single, harsh screech.

What is the eastern bluebird?
Eastern bluebird. The eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards.

Do eastern bluebirds migrate for the winter?
Some Eastern Bluebirds migrate south in the winter and others can remain north. There is no fixed migration route for bluebirds. Like the American Robin they can overwinter anywhere as long as there is food, water, and shelter.

[Phyl]

What is the meaning of a Blue Bird?
Definition of bluebird. : any of three small North American thrushes (Sialia currucoides, S. mexicana, and S. sialis) that are blue above and reddish brown or pale blue below.

What is the Bluebird Song?
"The Bluebird Song" is a song from "The Small Wonders", a story from The Book of Pooh. The song celebrates the singing of bluebirds, such as Kessie.
https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bluebird_Song


The Bluebird Song · Jean Ritchie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXjlkS0V69Y

[Phyl]

This morning,  during our non-stop rain here in Cane Ridge, Tennessee, while standing at the deck doors  I looked up from my earlyl morning coffee.
And, behold!
A pair of BB's perched a top the feeder pole. I was surprized to say the very least.  I just stood there, wide-eyed staring making sure  of the view and this
wasn't wishful thinking. Nope it was a pair of females. By the time I turned to cross over to the dinning table  to fetch my iPhone. I turned back--- the gals had flown off to the williow tree
at the bottom of the yard. Too far for a good photo at least not with this device.

I'm convienced the BBs returned to check out the meal worm feeder they had known from their fledgling days.
 But, Jim had it on the wicker table infront of the chairs. It had been airing a few days earlier
 from a disinfecting. He had only taken time to close it before the rains started early last Monday AM before he left for work.
. No decent break in weather. There it has remained.
Further research has revealed that the worms we had been purchaseing are now harvested and processed in China!  Bluebirders, all birders, know what this means.
So we're investagating who locally we can purchase meal worms raised and processed in the good 'ol US of A.
More to follow...

Jim gets his supply of mealworms at Lowes on Bell Rd. These are packaged under the guidance and name of the National  Audubon Society.

[Phyl]

Bluebird Timetable* 

Scouting: February to Mid-March: Bluebirds start checking out nesting sites. Late arrivals, or previously unpaired birds may nest as late as July or even August, and some pairs have multiple broods. It's never too late to put up a nestbox, as they may be used for a subsequent nesting (see Number of Broods), for roosting, and are also often checked out in the fall by birds that may return the following spring.

Nest building: 2-6 days.

Egg laying: 5-7 days. Usually laying one per day (skipping a day in cold weather is possible but uncommon), for a total of 4-7 eggs. Often start egg laying a few days after nest is completed. Egg laying can be delayed (sometimes for a week or two - 3 weeks is not unheard of) in cold weather, for young parents, or in cases where food is scarce. In Connecticut, the first egg is generally laid in April. (Earliest reported in CT: First week of March. Latest reported in August - 3 broods that year.  One brood/year is more common in CT.) Later broods tend to have fewer eggs, and Bluebirds tend to lay more eggs per nest in the north vs. south, but southern birds have a longer nesting season.

Incubation: 12-14 days. While they may sit on eggs occasionally during the egg laying period, "full-time" regular incubation doesn't start until all eggs are laid. They may wait about a week if weather is still cold. They may start incubating before the clutch is complete in warmer conditions. Hatching failure is highest during warmer conditions.

Hatching: May occur over 24-48 (rarely 72 hours)

Fledging: 16-21 days, typically 17-18. Occasionally a runt will fledge one or even two days later than the others. When they are first born, they look "a bit like hairy shrimp." Insect availability may speed up or delay fledging. If the box is empty in this time frame, the nest is flattened, and there is some fecal material (white) on the walls, it usually means fledging was successful. Once they leave the nest, bluebirds do not return to it. When the babies are 28 days old, they can fly well. They can feed themselves by Day 30.

Number of Broods: One to four broods per year. Fourth brood attempts may be made in southern climates. The number of broods probably depends on timing, temperatures, food availability, box availability and the experience or age of the parents. A subsequent brood may be started within days or weeks of fledging the previous brood. It may be in the same box or a different box.

* see photos of nestling development. Also see general bluebird nesting timetable and more information on bluebird biology for Eastern Bluebirds | Mountain Bluebirds | Western Bluebirds. Also see typical first egg dates by State.
This info to follow.