Posted by steve siegel on May 02, 2003 at 22:16:40:
In Reply to: Nest box posted by Felipe on May 02, 2003 at 16:29:58:
:
Felipe:
I've been reading about your efforts with nest boxes and starlings. I have the same problem. Here's something to think about. Woodpeckers don't much care how high you put the box. I have a pair nesting in a vacant lot next to me in a hole in a rotton branch of a Casuarina only 4 feet off the ground.
There may be a way to deter starlings. Starlings fly right up to the time they enter the hole. Woodpeckers can come in below the hole and hitch up to it. Try putting a pair of barriers, like protruding boards on either side of the hole about 5-7 inches apart and extending 10 inches out. This would prevent the starlings from flapping their wings near enough to the hole to reach it. Whether it would prevent the woodpeckers leaving the hole remains to t be sen. I'm going to try it soon.
Next year I'm planning to put my nes toxes on palm trees around 15 to 20 feet. Do you birders think that a woodpecker might nest on the palm tree nest box? O yeah why do bird guides put that downy woodpeckers are coomon over hear. I've seen them 3 times this year.