Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!bbn!rochester!cornell!uw-beaver!fluke!ssc-vax!bcsaic!shamus
From: shamus@bcsaic.UUCP (Steven McBride)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Nest Boxes (was Nesting Bluebirds).
Message-ID: <5523@bcsaic.UUCP>
Date: 17 May 88 16:22:35 GMT
References: <4719@ihlpf.ATT.COM> <246@oravax.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Boeing Computer Services ATC, Seattle
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Jim (JF) recently posted a query about problems with house sparrows and
starlings driving bluebirds out of nest boxes. John Gregoire offered to
help via email so the rest of us won't be bored. But I'd like to see
some discussion on the subject.

What are the ways to discourage junk species (house sparrows and
starlings) from using nest boxes?  Two articles* I've recently seen
indicated that starlings are discouraged by light -- apparently seeking
dark boxes. How do bluebirds tolerate light? Can translucent tops be
used on boxes? Has anyone done experiments? Any references in the
literature?

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*
Wilmers, Thomas J., "Competition Between Starlings and Kestrels for Nest
Boxes: A Review" in "The Ancestral Kestrel", Raptor Research Foundation, 
1987.
Curley, Elizabeth M., Bowman, Reed, and Bird, David M., "Nest Site
Characteristics of Boxes Occupied by Starlings and
Kestrels" in "The Ancestral Kestrel".
Inc.).
-- 
Opinions expressed are strictly my own:
Shamus Mc Bride		uucp:      uw-beaver!uw-june!bcsaic!shamus
(206) 865-3401                     uw-beaver!uw-june!bcsaic!wsc-sun!slm
                        internet:  shamus@boeing.com