> Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 02:45:03 -0500 (EST)
> Reply-to: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> From: BTPICKLE at aol.com
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Bluebird box entry holes???

I read an article some time ago about the difference in the hole
size... it had to do with the slight size difference in our two
western species of bluebirds. They are slightly bigger. The article
mentioned that some Western/Mountain occasionally used the boxes with
the Eastern's diameter, but it was a tight squeeze...they even lost
some feathers trying to get in and out of the opening. I'll try to
find that article and give you complete info. (?) Unless anyone else
can remember that article or a similiar one?

That bluebird trail in the Wenas Cr. area seems to be very
successful...I've visited them after fledging. Bluebirds
everywhere!! :)
> Tweeters,
>
> Anyone who knows a valid reason why the entry hole should or has to be 1 1/2
> inch and 1 9/16 inch diameter instead of the eastern style 1 3/8 inches wide
> by 2 1/8 inches high, please reply..I know the basic 1 1/2 inch entry hole is
> primarily to keep starlings out...
>
> I have noticed that most Eastern bluebird box plans show the entry hole to be
> two 1 3/8 inch holes drilled on 7/8 inch vertically separated centers making
> an entry hole 1 3/8 wide by 2 1/8 inches high.. Western plans generally show
> a round entry hole of 1 1/2 or 1 9/16 depending on if mountain blues are in
> the area..

> Donald Peterson
> Yakima WA
>
>