There’s something magical about seeing a flash of blue flit through the yard—bluebirds just have that cheerful charm. I’ve been trying different ways to bring them closer, and these 15 methods actually worked.
From the right kind of feeders to a few small changes in the garden, it doesn’t take much to make them feel at home. Once they show up, you’ll want to keep them coming back every season.
It’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done for my backyard!
1. Install Proper Birdhouses
The right birdhouse makes all the difference when wooing bluebirds to your property. Look for houses with 1½-inch entrance holes – this size keeps larger birds out while giving bluebirds perfect access.
Mount houses on poles about 5-6 feet high in open areas, facing away from prevailing winds. Bluebirds prefer houses with ventilation holes, drainage at the bottom, and no perches that might attract predators.
2. Create Open Spaces
Bluebirds hunt by spotting insects from perches and swooping down to catch them. Your yard needs open areas with short grass where these beautiful hunters can easily spot their meals.
Keep at least part of your lawn mowed regularly, especially in spring and summer when bluebirds are raising young. They’ll appreciate the hunting grounds while you enjoy watching their graceful diving techniques as they snatch insects from your grass.
3. Offer Mealworms
Nothing attracts bluebirds faster than a reliable source of mealworms. These protein-packed treats are absolute favorites and will keep bluebirds coming back regularly to your yard.
Start with dried mealworms in a shallow dish, then graduate to live ones for even more attraction power. Place the feeding station near bluebird houses but away from areas where cats might lurk. Once bluebirds discover this food source, they’ll become regular visitors.
4. Provide Water Sources
Fresh water attracts bluebirds year-round, especially during hot summer months and freezing winters. A birdbath with gently sloping sides and shallow water (about 1-2 inches deep) makes an ideal drinking and bathing spot.
Adding a water wiggler or small fountain creates movement that catches birds’ attention from afar. During winter, consider a heated birdbath to provide crucial water when natural sources freeze. Clean your water features regularly to prevent disease spread.
5. Plant Native Berries
While insects make up most of a bluebird’s summer diet, berries become crucial food sources during fall and winter. Native berry-producing plants provide essential nutrition when bugs are scarce.
Dogwood, elderberry, holly, and serviceberry are excellent choices that produce fruits bluebirds love. Space these plants around your yard to create natural feeding stations. The colorful berries will attract birds while adding visual interest to your landscape throughout different seasons.
6. Limit Pesticide Use
Chemical pesticides kill the very insects bluebirds depend on for food. Even worse, poisoned insects can harm the birds that eat them, potentially killing entire families of bluebirds.
Switch to natural pest control methods like companion planting, beneficial insects, and manual removal. Your yard will develop a healthy ecosystem where bluebirds can thrive by controlling insect populations naturally. This approach creates a win-win situation for both your garden and the birds.
7. Add Perching Spots
Bluebirds need strategic perches from which they can survey their territory and spot insects. Fence posts, clotheslines, or dead tree branches make perfect lookout points for these hunters.
Consider installing a few wooden posts about 4-5 feet tall around open areas of your yard. Space them about 50-100 feet apart to create a network of hunting perches. You’ll soon notice bluebirds using these spots as launching pads for their insect-catching dives.
8. Maintain Multiple Houses
Bluebirds can be territorial, but providing multiple nesting boxes spaced appropriately encourages more families to settle in your yard. Position houses at least 100 yards apart to prevent territorial disputes.
Having several houses also helps bluebirds compete with other cavity-nesting species like tree swallows and house sparrows. Some bluebird enthusiasts create “paired boxes” – two houses about 15-20 feet apart – which allows tree swallows and bluebirds to nest peacefully as neighbors.
9. Monitor For Predators
Cats, raccoons, snakes, and larger birds pose serious threats to bluebird families. Installing predator guards on nesting boxes dramatically increases survival rates for eggs and nestlings.
Metal baffles on mounting poles prevent climbing predators from reaching boxes. Position houses away from trees where flying predators might perch. Regularly check your yard for signs of predators and take appropriate measures to protect your bluebird residents without harming other wildlife.
10. Offer Nesting Materials
Help bluebirds build cozy nests by providing appropriate materials during breeding season. Pine needles, clean dried grass, and small twigs are perfect building supplies for these particular birds.
Place materials in mesh suet feeders or spread them on platform feeders where birds can easily find them. Avoid providing dryer lint, yarn, or string, which can entangle nestlings. Watching bluebirds gather your offerings provides delightful glimpses into their nesting behavior.
11. Clean Houses Regularly
Proper maintenance of bluebird houses increases their attractiveness and prevents disease. Remove old nests completely after each brood has fledged – bluebirds prefer fresh nesting sites for each breeding attempt.
Clean houses thoroughly between seasons using a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Allow houses to dry completely before reinstalling. This cleaning routine removes parasites and disease organisms that might harm future occupants while making houses more appealing to prospective tenants.
12. Reduce Lawn Chemicals
Chemical fertilizers and weed killers create toxic environments for the insects bluebirds eat. The chemicals also contaminate soil and water, potentially harming birds directly when they drink or bathe.
Switch to organic lawn care methods using compost, natural fertilizers, and manual weed control. A slightly less manicured lawn with some clover and dandelions actually provides better hunting grounds for bluebirds. Your yard will become healthier for both wildlife and your family.
13. Create Brush Piles
Strategic brush piles serve multiple purposes in a bluebird-friendly yard. They provide shelter for the insects bluebirds eat, creating natural feeding stations that attract these colorful hunters.
Pile fallen branches, twigs and leaves in a corner of your yard away from houses. The decomposing material becomes home to beetles, worms, and other invertebrates. Bluebirds will quickly learn to visit these bug buffets, especially during nesting season when they need protein-rich foods for their young.
14. Minimize Window Collisions
Window strikes kill millions of birds annually, including beloved bluebirds. The reflective glass confuses birds, causing fatal collisions that are entirely preventable with simple modifications.
Apply window decals, screens, or strings of beads spaced no more than 4 inches apart on problem windows. External treatments work better than internal ones. For new construction, consider windows with built-in patterns or install windows at angles that reduce reflections.
15. Provide Winter Shelter
Bluebirds don’t always migrate south for winter, especially if food sources remain available. Roosting boxes offer critical protection during cold nights and harsh weather for these year-round residents.
Winter roosting boxes differ from nesting boxes, featuring multiple entrance holes and interior perches where several birds can huddle together for warmth. Installing these special shelters in fall gives bluebirds time to discover them before severe weather arrives. Some bluebirds will use regular nest boxes for winter roosting if other options aren’t available.