At the 缅北强奸, the Eastern Bluebird boxes along the 缅北强奸-Burdette Trail are called Kentucky Slot Boxes. This box style is recognized by a 1 to 1 1/2 inch entrance slot at the top of the box rather than a circular hole in the center. The slotted style is easier for Eastern Bluebirds to enter and wards off many other type of birds that would try to use the space for their own nest, such as the invasive House Sparrow. The Kentucky Slot Box is also very shallow compared to other types of bird boxes and has no perch.
Wood is the easiest way to construct a protective box for Eastern Bluebirds, preferably with pieces at least 3/4 inches thick to reduce warping and increase insulation. A single 8 foot long board with a 5 1/2 inch width is enough for full construction. Wood screws and a drill will also be needed to assemble the walls, and a saw will be necessary to cut pieces down to size. If you would like, you can buy paint to decorate the outside of the box.
When cutting pieces of wood to construct the box, it is important to provide ventilation and drainage openings. Ventilation will help keep the box cool in excessive heat and can be done by leaving gaps between the roof and the walls, which can easily be done with a slanted roof design. Drainage is necessary to let water out of the box, so some small holes should be drilled in the corner of the floor panels. Similarly, leave perches off the the box design to avoid attracting House Sparrows. The front wall with the gap should also be able to open for necessary cleaning or monitoring, so a 1/16 inch gap should be left between the floor panel and wall.
A Kentucky Slot Box is relatively small, with the distance of the slot to the floor measuring 4 to 5 inches on the inside and the back and side walls being 8 to 10 inches. After cutting your pieces, it may be helpful to sand down rough edges to prevent bird injury. Then, begin by attaching the side walls to the back panel using wood screws. Next, secure the floor between the sides and ensure there are holes or gaps for water drainage. Attach the front panel with a top slot opening as well as a 1/16 inch gap at the bottom so the door can open. Finally, screw down the roof so that it slightly overhangs the entrance gap to protect the inside from the rain and ensure there are ventilation gaps. Check that all screws are tight and that the front wall can open correctly.
To attract bluebirds to your box, you must place the box in the correct habitat. The best box placement is a woodland edge or open lawn area not too close to trees. The box should be attached to a pole or post and stationed about 5 feet above the ground and faced south or east to minimize internal storm damage, as most Midwest spring and summer storms come from the north and west. If you want to place multiple boxes, be sure they are 250 to 300 feet apart to prevent territorial fighting between birds.
Although you can open and check your boxes regularly throughout the season, make sure you minimize disturbing the birds as much as possible or consider installing a camera. Do not touch eggs or nests, but you may clean out old nests in the winter for the next nesting season.
