Bluebirds

Note - All bluebird photos on this page were taken by my wife, Brenda.
Sorry, but all photo rights reserved.
Release of individual photos may be obtained by e-mailing her at bswiger@adelphia.net.
Click on photos to enjoy a full-size view, then click your browser's Back button to return.

Ever since my buddy, Joseph (Joe) Green, built and gave my wife and I two bluebird boxes as a house warming gift when we moved to our home 19 years ago, we have been avid blue birders. These are beautiful birds and do some of them ever have character. My wife and I often nickname some of the birds - Crazy Lady, Son of Crazy Lady, etc.

Even though the bluebird population has been greatly reduced do to housing and industrial developments that have destroyed their natural nesting cavities, along with the introduction of the nonnative English Sparrow, their future can still be bright. The most important step we can take to bring back the bluebird is to provide them nesting sites by setting out a bluebird box or starting a bluebird trail. In areas where nesting boxes have been put up in suitable habitat, bluebird populations are increasing. Blue birding is a great environmental, hands-on project that people of all ages can enjoy.

Last November, after reviewing various bluebird box designs, I designed a box that takes advantage of all the better features that I have seen. My box has a flip up side to easily remove old nests and the lid is removable to check on the nestlings if a need would arise - this is mainly due to English Sparrows entering the box and killing the nestlings or mother bluebird in the eastern US. Please destroy any English Sparrows you see around a bluebird box if you have the opportunity. I know this sounds harsh, but the English Sparrow is nonnative and it is important to bluebird survival.

Periodically, I will have my bluebird houses for sale on this site to help replace their natural nesting cavities that have been so greatly reduced. If, however, there is enough interest expressed and I can fit it in between jobs, I will run a production of boxes. I build boxes out of pine for $17.50 each and out of western cedar for $35 each. We have had pine boxes last as long as 18 years by bringing them in for the winter. A cedar box will "greatly" outlast a pine version. If you, or an organization you belong to, are interested in these bluebird boxes please email at: dave@swigerwoodworks.com. If I receive enough requests, then I'll contact those on the list and let them know I am going to build bluebird houses and when.

A couple of photos of my boxes - click on the thumbnail photos to see the full-size picture, then use your Web browser's Back button to return to this page.