Wanting to put up spare THG for GCF, need advice...

[MamaBruff]

Hello GCF experts,

I have never hosted GCFs before, but had one here last year "shopping"...

This year, I have 2 spare "PM Ready" THGs with tunnels, Conley 2 SREH, and porches... would a single one of these mounted on a pole work for GCF? Out in the open or near trees? Is this gourd too heavy for the pole offered in the PMCA Shop?

Mr Bulldog, I know you had good luck with the GCFs -nice pics BTW- Does your GCF gourd have a SREH entrance?

Thanks!

[Louise Chambers]

Mary, I don't know if a GCF can negotiate a sreh or not. Standard entrance hole size suggested for them is 1-3/4 inches. Maybe you could try one round, one sreh? We have brown-crested flycatchers here, and enjoy hosting them every year. Ours use our bluebird boxes, but only have helpful woodpeckers enlarge the 1-1/2 entrance holes.

[MamaBruff]

Hmm. Maybe I should order a round hole entrance and attach a plate with 1-3/4" hole... Must exclude starlings if at all possible.

[Peter Alberda]

A 1 3/4 hole will let all the starling in. Trap them elsewhere.

[MamaBruff]

Well Yuck!... (Bad Word)... I have enough to take care of as it is.

Wonder if 1-5/8" would work?

I measured the SREH, and am very doubtful there is enough vertical clearance for a bird that requires a 1-3/4" hole.

GCF may have to shop for a woodpecker hole in the woods again this year.

[Dolphins Fan]

This is a good topic because great crested flycatchers need just as much help if not more so than purple martins do. If you go to nestwatch.org under their profile you'll see they are in some serious decline in most of their range. Starlings are major competitors and if the GCF can and will use a hole that excludes starlings that could really help them rebound in numbers.

I have them around my property every year and am going to try help them out by putting up two large northern flicker boxes and a gourd. I'll have one flicker box up 15 feet in a willow tree with a 1 9/16 inch hole and the other flicker box on a 10 foot pole or post with a 2 1/2 inch hole. The 2 1/2 inch hole box will also double as a flicker box filled with woodchips for flickers. If they show no interest I'll take the woodchips out so the flycatchers can use it. I plan on putting a SREH on the gourd either a crescent or a colony II and hang it from a tree or pole.

I've done a lot of reading on these birds because they are a really cool bird. From what I've read they seem to prefer larger boxes (flicker sized) with holes ranging from 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches up 10-20+feet in a tree or pole/post. I've also read they prefer hanging boxes out on a branch and really like gourds. Seems some people say they ignore boxes in or around trees and like their boxes out in the open this is hard to believe because they are a woodland bird that prefers to nest in a wooded area but then again I've heard they used to nest more out in the open until starlings drove them into the woods.

Where I live (starling infested) it is critical to exclude them from any box. From what I've read purple martins are longer, heavier and have a longer wing span than the GCF if this is indeed true they should be able to enter a SREH without a problem. I've also heard they can easily enter a 1 9/16 inch round hole but seem to prefer larger holes just like a lot of other birds. People also say this about black capped chickadees, titmice etc that they will reject the smaller hole size even though they can actually fit into it. I myself experienced the complete opposite last year when I had a pair of chickadees successfully nest in a wren box with a 1 inch hole. If you look in any book or website it will tell you a 1 1/8 inch hole size minimum for chickadees!

There are no written rules on bird behavior they will do what they want no matter what anyone will tell you. Everyone will tell you tree swallows harass bluebirds when they are outnumbered but our bluebirds harass the tree swallows and I witnessed a male bluebird toss one of their eggs out of their box and are completely dominate over the tree swallows.

It has been proven the GCF can fit into these smaller holes the only question is their willingness to do it. Maybe the more people that put up boxes with these types of holes that exclude starlings for these flycatchers the more they will catch on and use them. Take certain songbirds for instance like the Baltimore Oriole that were unheard of at birdfeeders years ago but now you would be unlucky if you didn't get them while putting a special feeder out for them. It seems they pass this knowledge on to their young by having them feed at that same feeder. I just think not enough people actually target great crested flycatchers specifically and word hasn't gotten out yet unlike purple martins and bluebirds.

I will post my results hopefully of a GCF in one of my boxes!

[Courtney-NC]

In my early years of attempting to attract martins to my home site, I had an S&K house with crescent SREH. As you know, these houses have the SREH that are not flush with the floor/porch.. they may be 1/2 inch up. At any rate, I had a pair of GCFs build a nest in one compartment and lay 2 eggs in it, so they had no trouble getting in. (Back then I didn't know not to let other species nest in the martin housing). A couple of years ago, I made a box just for them with an entrance hole that was round and was 1 9/16 inches. They built a nest and laid eggs. This was a larger box than a bluebird box, and I had it up on a telescoping pole so I could get it up nice and high. It was in the open, and not in the trees. So, both times, they nested in the open in what I would consider to be more martin habitat. I have tried hanging gourds in trees for them and putting that house nearer the trees, but both have been ignored. So, that's my 2 cents. Your results may vary.

[DebA]

That was a good read with my coffee. Thank you!
Deb

[Dolphins Fan]

That's good information Courtney your one of the only people I know that had great crested flycatchers use a SREH and 1 9/16 inch hole. Two things I really seemed to notice in attracting them are 1) they prefer larger boxes to standard size bluebird boxes & 2) the higher up the box is the better I believe we're talking 15+ feet seems to be preferred. This is probably why most bluebird trails don't have them nesting in any of their boxes because they are too low to the ground and the boxes are too small even though they might be in the right habitat also the fact most BB houses have only 1.5" holes. I also believe they prefer a larger hole size (as with any bird) but if placed in the right habitat with the bigger box and higher height you might stand a good chance of them using the smaller hole size because everything else is to their liking. I think of it like this... You have a purple martin house up but it only has 4x4 compartments and it's only mounted 5 feet off the ground with crescent SREH. I think you would have a hard time getting them to nest in those conditions. However make the compartments bigger to at least 6x6 and mount it up 10+ feet and your in business reguardless of hole type. The more attractive the house is (location, size of box & height) the more likely they will be to use the smaller hole size IMO. GCF's CAN fit into 1 9/16 inch holes the only question is will they?

[MamaBruff]

Thank you Courtney and Icterus Galbula (Baltimore Oriole) for tearing into my question and providing answers and food for thought! A GCF visited my site last year, looked in the Trendsetter, and then became interested in my Starling/Sparrow Nestbox trap. It is a bigger box with a roomy hole. He perched on my patio furniture and sang his "Preet" call. Of course before I could shoo him away, he was inside the trap! I released him immediately, and he flew away muttering birdy dirty words. Broke my heart, and I wanted to see what I could do to provide housing for this beautiful bird. You have given me some good ideas; I hope I can put something up before he arrives this year! One of the local farm stores has Wood Duck houses; I think a 1 9/16" hole on a reducer plate may do the trick. I have some tall trees on my property (with plenty of open space around, park-like) that would provide a good spot for this box. I am very interested in the success of native cavity nesters on my property. I have Flickers, Red Bellies, Downies, BBs, Titmice, Carolina Chickadees here year round, and provide housing for the BBs and CCs. Titmice and Carolina Wrens occupy the houses the BBs don't take. The PM house and gourds stand like a shining white palace, waiting guests...

[Dolphins Fan]

No problem Mary and thank you for starting this topic. It's good to know people are trying to help other birds not just the more popular ones. They are in decline and I would really like to help them out if possible.

I'm not sure a wood duck box would be best I believe wood duck boxes are a bit too large for flycatchers but anything is possible. They seem to really like Flicker sized boxes which are a bit smaller. I read that the GCF will generally avoid large wood duck boxes but that might be because the hole is so large it allows just about everything to enter that size hole like squirrels etc. Might just work with a smaller hole in place though.

On another note you said you have Carolina Wrens nesting in one of your boxes. I love those little buggers they are really cute with a beautiful song. What kind of box are they using and where is it placed near your home or near woods? I bought a German made house with a large slot like opening in it that I hope they will use but I'm not sure where to put it for them.

[Anthony Neira]

Yes , a great topic/read everyone ! Indeed ! Thanks I.G & Courtney, good to hear that the GCF are getting human help. I just saw Survivor & it had as a treat, the winners of a challenge got to witness a Sea Turtle come to shore & dig/ lay her eggs, at least a Great way to educate people. Still it showed that in 2015 people Still have not passed down the basic knowledge of Nature enough to their offspring, so your spreading of the ideas to help the GCFs, give us a sense of hope for the future of birds & people ! Thanks again !

[MamaBruff]

Sorry for the long-winded off-topic thread. I know this is a PM forum. But many of us PM Lovers are also interested in conserving many other native species...

Anthony,
The sea turtles are amazing. There is a successful program in Cozumel, and the turtle numbers have since rebounded wonderfully. The turtle program includes collecting all the hatchlings from several nests hatching the same day to release as a group all at once for more safety ... Once we were there for a week during October and it was hatch time; we got to help dig out a nest... anyways, the turtle program involves the community school children... just before dusk, they have a group of students and parents stand in a horseshoe configuration facing out to the ocean. Then each child is given a hatchling turtle to hold until the appointed time, then all are released at once. Squeals of delight and tears of joy from children and adults alike as the babies scramble into the surf! One of my favorite memories.

IG,
My BB boxes are the Violett double hole type. They are roomier and have a larger roof overhang than the conventional BB box. The one the BBs use is in a more open location in the center of my property, outside the drip line of a medium sized tree, but located so it is shaded in the summer time. It is closer to the large open area containing the PM house and My house. The other 2 boxes really need to be moved to be more suitable to BBs. They are in less open/shaded areas, bordered by woods in the back corners of my property. The CWren has had a dummy nest in the one in the least open area for 2 years in a row. I will tell you that CWrens like the opposite environment of Purple Martins! I think if the box was relocated closer to the woodland edge, they would likely take it to the next level. Years ago, when I lived heavily wooded location, I had a C Wren nest in a hanging basket of impatiens on my porch. But consistently, she nested in my husband's shop building, inside an old motorcycle helmet that was in a cabinet that the door was always ajar. So your slot house in a wooded location may just work!

I do not have utility pole for placement of the potential GCF house, but do have a 10' tall pergola behind my house (in the open area) that I may be able to place it on top of. There are also a couple of tall trees in the back of the property that could possibly work. I have had some health complications recently, so will have to recruit my hubby to assist.

Why is it that a person never has time, health (or youth), and wisdom all at the same time? Oh the things we could accomplish!

[Dolphins Fan]

Mary those are Carolina Wrens and not House Wrens right? I have both Carolina & House Wrens and the house wrens totally take over all my boxes near a long row of large pine trees and shrubs. I've noticed the house wrens absolutely love slot boxes but will nest or make dummy nests is any box include one of my large flicker boxes! The house wrens fill the boxes full of twigs and I think this prevents the Carolina wrens from using them. One year I found a bunch of Carolina wren feathers underneath a slot box that house wrens were interested in so I think the house wrens attacked the poor Carolina wren

The only way I can get the Carolina wrens to nest without the house wrens taking over is to place a box or hanging basket away from the tree line and near the house under the porch eaves. I've read they will nest just about anywhere and even though they've checked out my porch they decided to nest in the thicket instead. They seem to like a cavity without a roof or top but protected from the elements in sheds, porches etc. I found a nice hanging teapot online that hangs from the side of the house that looks like they would like but then again I could probably just hang a flower basket they aren't picky!

[MamaBruff]

Hmm now I am doubting myself. have yet to see a HW here, and the CWs are thick. Guess I'd better pay closer attention!

[Dolphins Fan]

Hmm now I am doubting myself. have yet to see a HW here, and the CWs are thick. Guess I'd better pay closer attention!

House wrens are pretty much everywhere in the United States they winter in the southern U.S. and breed everywhere else. They are smaller and less colorful than Carolina Wrens. One dead giveaway to Carolina wren identification is the large white stripe above its eye. House wrens have this to but it's much less noticeable. House wrens will nest in literally any type of box you have up if it's in their territory. I have never had a Carolina wren nest in a birdhouse they seem to like a more open cavity in a sheltered area and nest in thickets as well. Also house wrens use pretty much nothing but sticks to make their nests whereas Carolina wrens use other materials. Hope this helps!

[Anthony Neira]

Thanks again Mary, & Dolphins Fan, Great stuff here! & Yes, that's cool that you got to see those turtles, nice to know that some kids get educated! And good to hear about the Wrens, D.F ! Keep up the good work!