The eastern bluebird is a small thrush species whose diet consists primarily of insects and berries, not seeds. Attracting these insectivores requires specific food like live or freeze-dried mealworms and specialty suet. Their natural foraging behavior involves scanning the ground from an elevated perch before swooping down. Successful feeder placement relies heavily on creating an environment that feels safe and provides an unobstructed view, which is paramount for attracting the birds and ensuring their safety from predators and competitors.
Selecting the Optimal Open Area
Bluebirds are instinctively drawn to wide-open spaces, allowing them to easily spot prey and maintain a clear line of sight against potential threats. The optimal location is typically an open, relatively sunny area, such as a short-mown lawn, a pasture edge, or a large, manicured yard. This preference mimics their natural hunting habitat and reinforces their sense of security.
The feeder should be placed away from high-traffic residential areas. A recommended distance of at least 40 to 50 feet from the main dwelling or patio helps timid bluebirds feel comfortable enough to approach and feed.
If you have a bluebird nest box, place the feeder well away from it to prevent attracting predators or aggressive competitor species. A distance of 100 feet or more between the feeder and a nesting box is suggested to reduce risk to vulnerable nestlings. The feeder must be in a highly visible, open setting that provides quick escape routes.
Establishing Predator Safety Zones
Feeder placement must prioritize the bird’s safety from ground-based mammals and avian predators, which often use dense cover for ambush. Ensure a minimum clearance of 10 to 15 feet in all directions from any dense foliage, such as bushes, shrubs, or thick tree lines. This distance prevents climbing predators like cats and raccoons from using nearby cover as a launching point to reach the feeder.
For protection against window collisions, the feeder should be placed either very close to the reflective glass or significantly far away. Placing the feeder within three feet of a window minimizes collision velocity, as the bird cannot build up enough speed if startled. Alternatively, placing the feeder more than 30 feet away allows the birds to safely navigate without mistaking the reflection for open space. Locating the feeder in a wide-open setting also helps deter smaller, aggressive birds like house wrens, which prefer brushy habitats.
Mounting Techniques and Feeder Height
To make the food inaccessible to climbing pests, the feeder must be mounted at a specific height and on appropriate hardware. The ideal height range for a bluebird feeder is between 5 and 6 feet from the ground. This elevation allows bluebirds to easily spot and access the food while making it too high for most ground-level predators.
The best mounting hardware is a smooth metal pole, such as a galvanized steel post, rather than a wooden post or tree branch. Smooth metal poles are far more difficult for squirrels, raccoons, and snakes to climb. A stovepipe or cone-style predator baffle must be installed on the pole to prevent these climbing animals from accessing the feeder.
The baffle should be placed approximately 4.5 to 5 feet above the ground. This ensures that a predator cannot simply jump over it from a standing position. This combination of a sturdy, smooth pole, the correct height, and a properly positioned baffle creates a secure feeding environment.