![]() For more information about discouraging HSP’s visit the North American Bluebird Societies (NABS) website at and Click here to visit their page on House Sparrow control.Ībove all before taking action please positively identify the bird going into your nest box. Anything is worth a try when it comes to discouraging HSP’s. I am less confident in this one because I have no practical experience with it. Another contraption you may see is called the Sparrow Spooker. HSP’s are visibly bothered by the contraption and are reluctant to land on the box or go to the entrance, but not Bluebirds. These are relatively easy to construct and one can use materials around the house to improvise. The basic idea of the Halo is to create a vertical column of monofilament (fishing line) around the box. For some reason it was made more with intent to keep Sparrows off bird feeders. The problem with the Halo is it is difficult to adapt to a bluebird box. ![]() The only place I’ve seen the Magic Halo available is on Amazon. Ø Contraptions like the Magic Halo works quite well although we’ve seen HSP’s totally disregard it at times. They are an introduced, non-native species therefore unprotected by law. House Sparrows have been heavily factored into the beginning of the decline of Bluebirds many years ago. This is a touchy subject and one to be considered and decided by the individual. The other option is to dispose of the bird. Relocating is not recommended and technically violates laws on transporting wildlife. Relocating probably requires up to 10 miles. Just releasing them will put you back to square one. They go in trip the mechanism and will be caught as indicated by the bright orange marker displayed in the entrance hole. Sparrows will almost certainly go to that nest material and attempt to put it back in the box. After installing the trap use the Sparrows nest material taken from the box and drop it on the ground below the box. It is perfect for catching a Sparrow that has already begun nest building. It is best used if Bluebirds have not been present, only Sparrows. Pros and cons: this is a trap you should be monitoring frequently. The Van Ert Sparrow trap is one that mounts inside the box and has a spring loaded mechanism that releases a door quickly closing the entrance hole thus trapping the bird inside. Ø We have two different Sparrow traps that can be effective. Again, if this does not fit your philosophy at least plug up the box. Ø You may also pull out HSP nests and destroy eggs. ![]() Be more patient than them and you just may win the battle. After a few days of not seeing the HSP unplug the box and monitor for possible return. Even if the BB shows up and looks at the box resist the temptation to unplug it, especially if the Sparrows have recently been there. We see little evidence of BB nesting in early March but more likely early to mid-April. Repeat the process if they show up again. Given a few days or a week of denied access the House Sparrows may become extremely eager to nest and look elsewhere. Ø If House Sparrows (HSP) begin showing interest in your Bluebird (BB) box by landing on and entering act quickly and plug the entrance hole to deny further access. And we encourage you to under no circumstances allow a House Sparrow to use any of your nest boxes. The one you choose may depend on your level of past experience with House Sparrows. So, what can be done? There are both passive and aggressive techniques that can be employed. We have seen examples of adult Bluebirds being killed by these violent confrontations. And in many cases they will fight the adult Bluebirds, sometimes putting so much pressure on them they decide to abandon. House Sparrows have been known to pierce bluebird eggs and/or physically remove them from the nest. These birds are highly motivated and typically get started in early March. ![]() Their nest is course, sloppy, and may contain debris like candy wrappers, cigarette butts, feathers, and odds and ends. They may suddenly appear in yards and show interest in a nest box. You see them busily building nests in some of the most unlikely places, car washes, in traffic lights, gaps in broken store signs, Home Depot rafters, and in gaps or openings in just about any fast food restaurant. This introduced tenacious species is particularly noticeable in spring when the nesting season kicks in to high gear. The House Sparrow is perhaps the most common and frustrating to deal with. ![]()
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