The first broods of bluebirds, Carolina wrens, and chickadees have fledged. So should we rid the nest boxes of old nest material and all its mess as soon as babies fledge? Research says, that depends.

DEAR JOAN: What is the right time to remove a nest from a nest box after the nestlings have fledged? I removed an abandoned nest last year that had four unhatched bluebird eggs. A new family built a ...

“When should I clean out my birdhouses?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Susan Alden of Lena, Wisconsin. Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say, “Keeping birdhouses clean is an essential part of being a proper host ...

“What should I do to keep house sparrows from tormenting wrens and bluebirds? Should I take the birdhouses down?” asks Ruth Armstrong of Niles, Michigan. Many people love to attract nesting bluebirds.

Nesting activities begin early for the beautiful and beneficial bluebird, a voracious insect eater that can bring a splash of color and a lyrical song to many homesteads. If you haven't done it ...