![]() ![]() If you prefer, you may alternatively choose to offer only boxes that are not as vulnerable to exotics (e.g., chickadee boxes, Chimney Swift Towers, or nesting platforms).īecause House Sparrows and European Starlings do not migrate, they have a competitive advantage when it comes to having first pick of suitable nest boxes. Your best bet may be to use a more active method of managing House Sparrows. There currently is no scientifically-documented way to exclude House Sparrows that works permanently, but some monitors have observed that Gilbertson PVC boxes are often avoided by House Sparrows. House Sparrows can fit through entrance holes as small as 1 1/4” therefore, most cavity-nesting songbirds using nest boxes are vulnerable to House Sparrow competition. Starlings cannot squeeze through a hole smaller than 1 1/2”, so an entrance hole of this size or smaller will exclude starlings from boxes intended for smaller birds. Feeders with short perches and small ports are also less attractive to these two species. Avoid putting out mealworms and suet, and scattering seed on the ground. ![]() If you do feed wild birds, offer foods that these species do not appreciate, such as safflower for Northern Cardinals, nyjer or “thistle” seeds for finches, and nectar for hummingbirds. Bird enthusiasts must accept that wherever there is abundant food, so too will there be Starlings and House Sparrows. European Starlings, on the other hand, like premium black-oil sunflower seeds. House Sparrows prefer smaller seeds like millet, cracked corn, and milo, which are plentiful in inexpensive bird seed mixes. Therefore, placing your nest boxes in natural areas away from densely-populated locations will prevent many non-target birds from ever finding them.Īnother simple way to reduce the number of House Sparrows and European Starlings around your property is to avoid feeding them. House Sparrows and starlings prefer to be near human habitations, and starlings also frequently inhabit agricultural areas with abundant grain. Only place your boxes in areas that do not have these birds. The most successful method for preventing exotic species from breeding in your nest boxes is simply to move your boxes. If your target species are larger cavity-nesting birds, like American Kestrels, you may have to actively deter starlings from your area. Simply restricting the size of the entrance hole of a nest box should be enough to give the smaller birds access while keep starlings out. There are several styles that seem to deter the sparrows for a while, but ultimately if these birds are desperate, they will eventually use the box.īecause European Starlings are a larger bird, they are less of a problem when it comes to competition with bluebirds and other smaller cavity-nesting species. Unfortunately, a completely sparrow-proof nest box does not exist. We recommend that you take measures to prevent them from breeding in your boxes. For the reasons outlined above, we strongly encourage that you do not allow House Sparrows or European Starlings to breed in your nest boxes. Photo © Mary Fran Deterring House Sparrows and European StarlingsĪs a nest box monitor, your goal is to provide a safe environment for local cavity-nesting species to breed. For more information on the biology of these species, please visit these pages. They outcompete native cavity-nesting birds, and are known to destroy nests and eggs, and kill nestlings and adults while taking over an occupied nest site. Both species nest in structures ranging from gutters and downspouts to thick shrubs and bushes, but readily use nest boxes when available. They are now permanent residents found across the United States and Canada, almost always near areas of human habitation and disturbance (e.g., cities and suburbs) or areas with a reliable food source, such as barns or granaries. House Sparrows and European Starlings were both introduced to North America in the 19th century. Invasive species are currently recognized as one of the main threats to global biodiversity. Invasive exotic species are those introduced species which benefit from their new environment such that they increase their population range significantly over time. Please note that the methods described below are only for controlling House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), which are not protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and that it is illegal to harm or harass any native species, including their nests and eggs. Joan Gellatly Managing House Sparrows and European Starlings ![]()
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