SAE: Monitor success rate of bluebird houses
Description:

Monitoring the success rate of bluebird house is an excellent SAE for students who live in either urban or rural areas. The student must first acquire a birdhouse, which they can make themselves or purchase one for $8-$10. The students will need to research what makes a good bluebird house. If the student is to construct the house, proper plans should be followed for a bluebird house. The student should then install the bluebird houses five feet from the ground on a post. Each house should be at least 100 feet apart. Predator guards should be installed on the post. Next, the student must monitor the birdhouse weekly, keeping accurate records on the number of eggs that hatch as well as the number of eggs that did not hatch. This SAE is excellent for students who wish to learn good record keeping skills and enjoys working with wildlife.

 

 

Factors To Consider

Ranking:

1 = lowest

10 = highest

Time required

5

Investment 5
Equipment needed 6
Skills required 4
Facilities required 3
Land required 2
Labor Intensity 3
Potential for income 1
Transportation required 1
Expansion possibilities 8
Expertise needed 5
Advertising needed 1
Susceptible to disease 4
Susceptible to insects 7
Suitable for residential areas 10
  Other (specify)
Length of production cycle 3 months
Regional Yes
When to start project March

 

Notes:

 

 

 

Sources of Additional Information:
The Bluebird Box- Audubon Society of Omaha-Nestbox Monitoring Form

Georgia Wildlife Federation

National Wildlife Federation