>
> What are the metal guards in the roof like?
We
> > also put metal guards in the roof to keep the sparrows from perching there and
> > hassling the chickadees trying to get in.
We use them on all our boxes, especially the ones for swallows.
Some of the boxes sold by audubon have nice coppery- colored ones.

It's like the false fronts on a Western Town main street. I use metal flashing
4-6" high to make a "flap" that stands straight up above the entrance. You
need to do it the whole length of the roof, so if it is a gable style, you need
to fill in the little triangle at the apex , too.
make sure the edges are nice and sharp so they won't try to sit on the top of
the guard.
The idea is that the sparrow won't sit there and sing behind this "wall" as he
can't monitor the entrance. It also makes it just about impossible for him to
sit there and dive bomb the desired bird when they hang on the entrance
hole and shop or transfer food , or whatever.
If this is not clear, I will be happy to try to explain again, or some other
tweetster can give it a go.
Clarice Clark
Puyallup, WA. 98371
mailto:jbroadus at seanet.com