This is a guide to help people
find bluebird-related items online. I can't vouch for
what these folks have in stock, or for quality unless I have one
myself.
This is a resource only, as I intend Sialis to be
an objective, educational resource, free of the influence of
advertising. The exception is items (books and Magic
Halo) where there is an option to click through to Amazon.
100% of any income to Sialis.org generated by clicking through
to purchase an item from Amazon.com is used for bluebird
conservation or
donated to a nonprofit bluebirding organization. Shop around - buying directly from the producer will usually save you money. State and national bluebird societies often offer bluebird products at competitive prices, and your purchase helps them continue with their mission.
This webpage includes links
to some retailers from whom I've bought merchandise. I've also
corresponded with some of these suppliers. I'll admit that I have a personal bias towards small businesses that specialize in excellent craftsmanship and customer service, and are open to feedback. See Disclaimer. Comments
are my personal opinions. Caution:
Only order online if the website is secure. Not all websites linked
here are. Otherwise call or fax your order in.
Backyard Blues, 1991.
Fledglings feed at kitchen window and bathe. Bluebird orphans,
etc. Birdseye
View Productions. 48 minutes.
Bluebird Basics, Getting
Started with Bluebirds,
by Don and Lillian Stokes. Useful for presentations to
schools or workshops. Covers all three
species; habitat;
choosing the right bluebird nestbox; monitoring; dealing
with competitors and predators;
starting a bluebird trail; the importance of keeping
records and research; etc. Available from NABs for
12.00 or American
Bird Conservancy for
9.95.
Bluebirds Inside
the Nestbox, by
the North
Carolina Bluebird Society.
From actual nestbox cam footage. Interesting, fun for children (not much explanatory dialog.) May be purchased
online directly from The
North Carolina Bluebird Society as a VHS tape
or a DVD for $13.85, including shipping; quantity
discounts are available. Also available for a $20
donation to Cornell Nestbox
Cams. 15 minutes.
Bluebirds Up Close,
by Nature Science Network, Inc. 1990. Photography and
sound recordings; tips on building, placing, and maintaining
nestboxes; and guarding against predators, feeders, etc. Some mediocre footage. All ages except very
young. 50 minutes. Available used from Amazon.com: Bluebirds Up Close. Nature Science Network/Audubon Society, 108 High Street,
Carraboro NC 27510.
Bluebird Trails: How to Start
and Maintain a Bluebird Trail. 1989.
Steps in managing a bluebird trail, practical
tips on how to deal with problems such as predators
and competitors. Birdseye
View Productions. 37 minutes.
Bluebirds in the Suburbs by
DG Pearse. $24 (includes shipping).
Lengthy, no narrative or music, only the sounds inside
the nestbox, with a guidebook of explanations. DG Pearse, 4497
Woodstream Drive Columbus, OH 43230-5128 (614) 478 5004
Jewels
of Blue: the Story of the Eastern Bluebird.
1988. Courtship, nesting, and care of young, story
of bluebird conservation. Birdseye
View Productions, 1761 Country
Road H, Deer Park, Wisconsin 54007
(715) 248-7459. 30 minutes.
A Sam's Guide to Bluebirds.
DVD+CD. Guide to managing bluebird
house or trail, with species profiles, selecting a bluebird box,
mounting and predator control, care and management, making your
own bluebird box, photos and video of each species, plus 35 minute
video by Helen Johnson on Mountain Bluebirds. Retail 24.95 Available to TBS members for $10 plus shipping. Also at Anything
Bluebirds.
Birds-I-View - by Steve Garr, large flat roof and interior (9.25x9.5"), wire sides, velcro-ed dish that allows sifting out of mealworm bedding. Also sell a plexiglas sided feeder with roof and floor made of recycled plastic. Both are starling-proof.
Bluebird Nut - vinyl coated wire cages with removable cups, roof, designed for bluebirds (mealworms or suet), fast shipping. Starling proof, Mockingbird resistant. Designed to hang. Also Van Ert Luring Feeder.
Duncraft - Cage within a cage wire feeder with roof and floor. Good for suet cakes, easy to refill (roof lifts). Mealworms will escape. Pricey.
Drs. Foster and Smith - steel feeder that attaches to pole. If you use this style, only put enough mealworms (e.g., 5 or 10 per bird) to be eaten immediately to avoid attracting competitors/predators.
Your
local bluebird society. Wildlife-related
non-profit organizations may offer basic NABS-style boxes as low as the $5-8 price range. Some organizations may also offer volume
discounts.
Ahlgren Construction
Company 12989 Otchipwe Ave. N Stillwater, MN 55082 (651)430-0031. Original Peterson style.
Sides made of Hardiboard? (Spend the extra $2.00 to get them
assembled.) (Note: I recommend putting DAP silicone on top to preserve roof.)
Andrew Troyer's: The Bird's Paradise, 20835 Morris Road,
Conneautville, PA 16406
(800) 872-0103
Backyard
Bird Company - sell Ultimate box - nice, but pricey (Western Red Cedar, both sides open, has plexiglass for viewing).
Best
Nest - search for "Rubicon" to see boxes
made of recycled plastic - supposedly will last 100 years.
Cedar
Birdhouses - Prices are very reasonable but I'm not sure they meet NABs specs (they are made of 5/8" cedar,
limited roof overhang. Makes custom boxes.
Eastern-bluebird.com: Al Drollett's Peterson boxes. Oval entrance, roof (holes pre-drilled) and sides of 1/2" high quality five ply exterior grade plywood, front and back 3/4" cedar, subroof and floor from fir. Kerfs inside, uses screws. Conduit clamp on back top for mounting. Nice quality.
Forschner bit - source of 1 9/16" for making larger entrance holes on your own boxes.
Gilbertson
Boxes (and traps) and Gilwood Boxes, purchased directly from the designer. Steve is friendly and will gladly answer questions over the phone. Reasonable prices compared to other sources. Steve Gilbertson, 35900 Dove Street, Aitkin, MN 56431, (218) 927-1953.
Kentucky Four Seasons Bluebird Nestboxes - Bill Freels, (270) 443-7985, w.freels"at"worldnet.att.net, cooperating wtih Jackson Purchase Audubon Society. Profits donated to Jackon Purchase. $20.00. Solid construction, innovative bowed fiberglass roof, adjustable plexiglass vent covers.
Native America - some log style boxes. (I do not recommend open top boxes due to the potential for hypothermia and wet nests.)
New York Bluebird Society - click on "for sale" link.
Herman Bressler white pine bluebird nestbox (slightly larger than standard NABS box), oval or round hole.
Real
Bird Homes Chalet nestbox plans, Gary Springer - may no longer be selling boxes - address is Box 523 Carnesville Georgia, 30521.
The
Woodpecker - Gregory Seaford, 5380
Goodman Lake Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146, (704)
636-6238, ghseaford"at"carolina.rr.com (replace "@" with "at"). Southern yellow
pine NABS style boxes. Nice to deal with,
fast shipment (no hidden charges),
willing to work with you want, will
paint/stain. Also available on e-Bay.
SABA (South
Alabama Birding Association) of cypress/cedar.
Somewhat small floor size.
Call Dave at (800) 764-8688. Decent
set-up for less than $100 with a 50' wire that supplies power
and transmits the signal back to a TV or computer.
May not be infrared. (This info is from a Bluebird_L post)
SparrowTraps.net - ready made, adjustable, weather resistant. Additional mounts and rolls of mylar available.
Mylar: You can use Happy Birthday signs available at card shops/party stores, or buy "bird scare tape" from places like SparrowTraps.net or nursery supply houses.
Bolt
Trap - was available from Jenna Bird, which has closed. Order directly from Mel Bolt (Traps)
at 1515 Crosswind Ct. Wooster, OH 44691. You can email him for information at mellen"at"sssnet.com (replace "at" with @).
Brad Biddle's trap with no moving parts. Nicely constructed, large door. Contact: yard1man"at"charter.net. NO LONGER MADE.
Cedar Valley Ground Trap:Afton Cedar Works - Phil Leuthe, 3364 Pennington Ave S., Afton MN 55001 (651) 436-6182 or e-mail at aftoncedarworks@pressenter.com. Made of cedar. NABS members - $45 plus $10 for shipping. Otherwise $49.50 plus $10 shipping. Note: Zell Olson no longer makes this trap.
Deluxe
Repeating Sparrow Trap (DRST) by Blaine Johnson. Elevator trap,
practically escape-proof. My personal favorite. $44.95 plus $10 shipping.
Forestry Suppliers, Inc. 1-800-647-5368, Tree Tanglefoot Pest Barrier Item # 79099 Quantity: 5 pound tub (a small plastic bucket) Cost: $24.95 plus shipping.
Order 5 days ahead
of when you need them. In a pinch, you can buy small quantities of mealworms from a local pet or bait store, but prices will be much higher. Do select a supplier that offers a live delivery guarantee. The distance they have to ship may affect the price and survival.
GRUBCO phone or fax (800)
222-3563 (Ohio) - get at least medium size. Shipped in a box with a muslin bag with crumpled newspaper. I've had good luck with them. Do not offer a live guarantee in summer months.
NABS (discount
for NABS members for purchases from Sunshine and Natures Way)
Reptile
Food - (a
portion of
proceeds go
to MI Bluebird Society or
you can select another registered
organization at www.reptilefoods.com/society). Shipped in a box with screens on the side, and egg cartons inside (vs. newspaper.) Nice worms, fast shipping, but their shipping cost is getting high.
Songbird Gardens - 417-538-2990 8-5 CST or email to have someone contact you. More expensive than some. Live guarantee available.
Sunshine
Mealworms (800)
322-1100 -
go for the
large. Ask
for 10% discount
for bluebird
trail. 15%
discount for
NABS members
(5,000 limit,
individuals
only).
Southeastern Insectaries (no website), P.O. Box 1546, Perry, GA 31069, (877) 967-6777
Feather Guard (6 feet long with 5 colorful feathers, attached to glass with 2 suction cups) - Greg Robert Pet Supplies - my mother says these work well.
WindowAlert - decals that reflect ultraviolet light. Birds can see the decals but humans can't. Attach via static cling to outside of window. Replace every 1-2 years as UV coating fades.
Miles
Kimball - Mad Bluebird items, calendar, swinging bluebirds
Nancy Bell of Gakona, Alaska - unique bluebird
necklace. She does not have a website, but does have an email
address: bell5"at"alaska.net (replace "@" with "at")
National
Wildlife Federation (search for "bluebird) - Mad Bluebird
apparel, ornaments, lamps, flatware, lamp, dinnerware, vase,
etc.
Wine - "Duet" chardonnay by Hopkins Vineyard, with a bluebird singing to himself on the label
Wood Bird Online - lifesize, realistic wood carving of bluebirds and other birds
Disclaimer: The author does not make any warranty, express
or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility
for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information,
apparatus, product or process disclosed on this website,
or represent that its use would not infringe on privately
owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial
product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer,
or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the author.
Blue
skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see
Bluebirds
Singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds
All day long
- Irving Berlin, Blue Skies, 1927
. Nature Science Network/Audubon Society, 108 High Street,
Carraboro NC 27510. 