Over my 50 years living in Summit County, I have grown to have a special relationship with the birds that come to nest in my bird houses every summer. All of this has been changing the last few years though.

As our town becomes more urban, urban birds have made their way here, particularly the invasive house sparrow (introduced from Europe). They will peck the mother and fledglings to death and build a nest right on top of them. They also crack open the eggs.

I have learned a lot the last few years on my mission to help my feathered friends and thought maybe someone else might benefit from the sharing of what I have learned.

First off, always choose bird houses that are the right dimensions (you can buy Audubon ones at Ace). If they are not deep enough, predators can reach in.

Next, never choose decorative bird houses with a perch or a ledge on the bottom, these give predatory sparrows a place to land while they attack the inhabitants. Nesting birds do not need a perch.

For bluebirds or songbirds that are the same size as a sparrow or bigger, the best thing to do is to deter sparrows with something shiny that spooks them. Place metallic streamers draping down over the top of the house, or place fishing line around the opening of the hole. There are Youtube videos on this.

For smaller birds like chickadees, house wrens and forest swallows, you can try to make the hole to the bird house smaller so it is harder for the larger swallows to enter. The best information I have found was from the late ornithologist, Robin W. Tufts.

If anyone has any other suggestions about how to protect our disappearing native birds please let me know!