Converter nesting boxes have been around for years. They look like a normal birdhouse during the nesting season with (in this case) a 1 1/2" hole for our lovely eastern bluebirds that will start nesting here in the NE. Atlanta, GA area in March.
These boxes "convert" during the winter to a "roosting" box by flipping the squirrel guard downward to the lower hole. Yep, these boxes have 2 holes drilled in them. One up, for nesting season, and one down for roosting season.
The theory is that heat rises so boxes contain perches on the inside to allow the birds to sleep in a warm confined space. These boxes also contain vents that can close to keep the cold weather outside.
The boxes have a clean out on one side while also allowing the 2nd side to open with a bird saving acrylic window to allow you to safely peak in at the chicks.
Pretty neat idea! However, here at the Wild Bird Center of Johns Creek we have noticed and heard from customers one disturbing trend from the newest iteration of these boxes. That is the long squirrel guard is too loose to hold the board in place. Thus it may slip, and accidentally move to block the birds from leaving the nest. For some reason (which didn't occur in the past) the new screws used to hold the board in place can't get tight enough. Obviously this is bad!
We have stopped carrying these boxes until a solution is implemented by the manufacturer. Our in-house solution at the store is to put a 2nd "set screw" in that will provide a 2nd point of contact to hold the squirrel guard board in place. This simple solution of adding an additional screw to the converter box solves the issue.
We recommend that if you purchased a converter nesting box from anywhere that you immediately place the 2nd screw in place BEFORE nesting season begins.
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| A standard "converter nesting box" |
These boxes "convert" during the winter to a "roosting" box by flipping the squirrel guard downward to the lower hole. Yep, these boxes have 2 holes drilled in them. One up, for nesting season, and one down for roosting season.
 |
| Converter nesting box in the "roosting position" |
The theory is that heat rises so boxes contain perches on the inside to allow the birds to sleep in a warm confined space. These boxes also contain vents that can close to keep the cold weather outside.
 |
| Vent at upper left is closed, perches for roosting shown |
The boxes have a clean out on one side while also allowing the 2nd side to open with a bird saving acrylic window to allow you to safely peak in at the chicks.
 |
| Clear acrylic plate to allow you to safely view the chicks |
Pretty neat idea! However, here at the Wild Bird Center of Johns Creek we have noticed and heard from customers one disturbing trend from the newest iteration of these boxes. That is the long squirrel guard is too loose to hold the board in place. Thus it may slip, and accidentally move to block the birds from leaving the nest. For some reason (which didn't occur in the past) the new screws used to hold the board in place can't get tight enough. Obviously this is bad!
We have stopped carrying these boxes until a solution is implemented by the manufacturer. Our in-house solution at the store is to put a 2nd "set screw" in that will provide a 2nd point of contact to hold the squirrel guard board in place. This simple solution of adding an additional screw to the converter box solves the issue.
 |
| 2nd set screw ready to be inserted to keep the squirrel guard firmly in place |
We recommend that if you purchased a converter nesting box from anywhere that you immediately place the 2nd screw in place BEFORE nesting season begins.
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