How to Pair Nest Boxes for Tree Swallows

Tree swallows and bluebirds share areas with properly spaced nest boxes.

Tree swallows are blue-colored members of the swallow family. The attractive birds are often are mistaken for bluebirds and will nest in boxes or birdhouses meant for bluebirds. A tree swallow consumes up to 3,000 insects per day, and the species is considered beneficial for humans. The nesting behavior of the tree swallow and the bluebird allows for spacing pairs of nest boxes to determine the species of birds that will use the boxes.

Instructions

1. Build or purchase two or more bluebird-type nest boxes. The concept of pairing requires an even number of nest boxes.

2. Mount the first nest box in an appropriate habitat. Usually mounted on posts and from 5 to 8 feet above the ground, the tree swallow/bluebird house should be near the edge of a wooded area and water but not close enough to either to provide easy access from predators.

3. Mount the second or "paired" next box within 20 feet of the first nest box. According to the Sialis website, which is produced by an organization of bluebird aficionados, the paired nest boxes may attract a nesting pair of each species to the two nests. The two nests can be mounted on separate poles or trees or mounted on opposite sides of the same tree or pole. Do not place another pair of nest boxes within 300 yards.

Tips & Warnings

• Both the tree swallow and bluebird are territorial and will not nest in proximity to another nest of their species. Bluebirds prefer a buffer of up to 300 yards around their nest while the tree swallow will nest as close as 25 feet or even closer in rare conditions. The goal of pairing the nest boxes and providing a buffer space between nesting sites is to have one nest occupied by a pair of bluebirds and the other by tree swallows. This system can produce the highest production levels of both species.

References

• Sialis: Nestbox Pairing
• Sialis: "I Wish You Bluebirds"