Any suggestions on this?

[Rob'in'To]

I've got a number of bird houses out back.  One is quite popular, it's an "outhouse".

Anyways, Chickadees successfully nested in it a few years ago.  Last year some House Sparrows took it but we were never quite certain if they had a nest or not.  They hung out in and out of it for much of the Spring into June.

This year, March rolls around, House Sparrows come back.  A week or so of a male hanging out and not much else.  All is quiet for about 3 weeks.  Then the Chickadees come on scene, and have been working on the house for over a week now.

Today I look out back and this male House Sparrow is hanging around again.  He's poking his head in the nest box here and there, sitting on the edge of it chirping his fool head off.  And one Chickadee is sitting in the tree near the house being a rather angry bird.

I'm quite unhappy about it and have gone out and chased the male Sparrow away a few times but he has been returning.  All is quiet at the moment but I am watching.

Any suggestions what to do?  Let nature take it's course?  Should I work on my aim and borrow a pellet gun?  Relax, just kidding there...  mostly...

[JW Mills]

What size is the bird house opening? Suggested size for chickadees is 1 1/8 inches.
 
BTW, if I remember correctly the House Sparrow is not a protected species in case you want to try the pellet gun!

[newfoundlander61]

Sparrows prefer an opening of 1 1/2 inch entrance. You could add a hole guard with a circle size of  1-1/8" as a DYI project.

http://www.sialis.org/holereducer.htm

[Rob'in'To]

Thanks guys!  I called my local Wild Birds Unlimited and they have the piece I need to reduce the diameter of the entry hole.

Hope it doesn't stress the Chickadees too much.

Cheaper than the pellet gun and some target practice.  

[Rob'in'To]

I put the reducer on and that is keeping the Sparrows out of the bird house.  But the little @#!'rs are often found on top of it or at the hole trying to scare off the Chickadees.  

The Chickadees are putting up a good fight.  And are becoming even faster than usual with coming in and out of the hole to the nest box.

I tell ya, I am a nature lover; but those House Sparrows really are trying my patience.  And at this moment I would have no problem breaking their little necks with the grief they are causing the Chickadees.  

How much is a pellet gun?   :evil:

[Trillian Flummox]

It's hard to love all the birds all the time. The first year I tried putting out a feeder, I was forced to quickly remove it after it was swarmed by House Sparrows who pooped all over my garden as a thank you. Anyway, here's a link to an interesting article about your problem:
http://www.yourgardenretreatblog.com/2009/04/both-european-starlings-and-house.html
And here's another link to a weirdly simple product that might be worth a try:
http://www.bird-x.com/sparrow-free-magic-halo-products-53.php?page_id=63

-kris

[Halton Hills]

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yep.....they are ruthless little buggers......your chickadees are likely doomed unless you do something.

I made a trap that I put out whenever they decide to take over one on my nest boxes.....works wonderfully.

It's basically a normal looking nest box with a trap door that's triggered when someone enters.

My bluebirds, tree swallows and chickadees all get on board with the program and don't mind being trapped and released.....  

Pellet rifle is a good way to go if you can get close enough while keeping yourself hidden.....just be careful of your back-drop.



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[Rob'in'To]

Once again, thanks for the input.

I put the hole diameter reducer and it's keeping the Sparrows out.  But they are hanging around the house often, trying to keep the Chickadees from getting in the house.  My presence outdoors works great and I have four days off this weekend, much to do out back, so hoping this could be enough to make the little bastards say "forget it" and give up.  HOPING is the key word.

The Chickadees have evolved in their own way.  They are moving incredibly fast now, going in and out of the house.  You blink and you miss them.

I figure that male House Sparrow finally found himself a mate and wanted the house back.  

Here's a peaceful sighting when the Sparrows aren't around...

[lovemypt]

No need for a pellet gun......... I thought you were training those sharpshinned hawks of your's or are they squirrels scaring them away  :lol:

[mr.sharp-photo]

i have the same issue w/house sparrows.
they pillage my feeder an empty it in 2 days.
ah, its part of nature. house finches, chickadees and cardinals still frequent.

[Halton Hills]

ah, its part of nature

That's the problem......they aren't part of nature (here).....  :wink:


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[Rob'in'To]

So, last weekend I put up a Woodpecker nest box I got for Christmas.  And today those pesky House Sparrows took it over.  

The good thing is now the Chickadees are having a peaceful existence in their house halfway down the yard.

And I have a very active and quite amorous pair of House Sparrows on the deck in another house.

The crazy newlyweds are cavorting all over the place, enjoying new found love and a nice new home.  Heck, even the laundry area is being `tarnished`.  :oops:

[Axeman]

omg...lol...I have NEVER seen that before...not even on a documentary....nice shot !