Some people believe that bluebirds and Tree Swallows will place a “claim straw” in a box to signal their intent to nest there.
Nestboxes that are EMPTY may indicate to a potential scout that the site is “available.” That is one reason why removing House Sparrow nests without trapping the adults can create a dangerous situation.
MORE INFORMATION & RESOURCES:
- Cavity Nester ID
- All About Tree Swallows
- All About Eastern Bluebirds
- All About Mountain Bluebirds
- All About Western Bluebirds
- House Sparrow Management
Distinguishing the signal from the noise requires both scientific knowledge and self-knowledge.
– Nate Silver
