Message-ID: <353F555B.494 at televar.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 07:51:07 -0700
From: Jerry & Sandy Converse <sanjer at televar.com>
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To: castro.pang at worldnet.att.net
Subject: Re: Nesting nuthatches and starlings
References: <01BD6E41.9B4BAF00 at 3.seattle-05.wa.dial-access.att.net>
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Jack Castro and Sharon Pang wrote:
>
> Hello all,
snip
>
I am concerned because I have seen the starling several times land on
the nuthatch house and try to poke its head into it. The hole is a
standard chickade
>

I don't know what effect it would have now, but if you put a extra piece
of wood with a same size hole in it as the one on the box and attach it
to the nest box it makes the opening deep enough that most other birds
are unable to get their beak inside. This idea is from some plans for
Bluebird boxes, but should work on other boxes as well. Oh ya--make a
1/8 inch saw cut about one inch down from the opening--it gives them a
place to put there feet upon landing. :-)

Anyone else agree or disagree?

Jerry Converse
Grand Coulee, WA

> Do starlings try to eat other birds? Or is this starling just curious? I am afraid it may scare away the nuthatches. Is there anyway to scare the starling away? If I spray it with the hose will that deter it or will it just come back later? Will my attempts to scare the starling end up scaring the nuthatches away too?
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
> Jack