Bird House Oval Entrance Hole for Violet Green Swallows

This 7/8 (14/16) oval hole is ideal for Violet Green Swallows and will keep invasive English House sparrows out . So this 7/8 oval shape hole protects Violet Green swallows from English house sparrows .

Part of this video is a mistake. The mistake was to show any other options than using a forstner drill bit . Someone is selling nest boxes with this 7/8 oval to local stores , there is no consistency in any of the 7/8 ovals being sold . Always use a forstner drill bit for the centre hole . Or your centre hole will be larger than 7/8. Only use a 7/8 spade bit to measure the oval as a go no go feeler gauge . The same size flat spade wood drill bit makes a larger hole than the same size forstner wood drill bit . So the end result oval , the spade bit should be a tight fit .If you buy a nest box for swallows that keeps house sparrows . Bring a 7/8 spade bit with you check it for yourself . You cannot trust what is being sold.

Tree Swallows in my area will not fit into the 7/8 oval so need a larger size 15/16 . Nature Scape BC says T. S. will not fit into the 15/16 oval , not true in my area . There is a risk having the larger 15/16 oval , as it will only keep some English House Sparrows out . Well at least the 15/16 oval will keep Starlings out .

Another hole size to keep House Sparrows out is a simple and easy to make 1 and 1/8 round hole . I have Red Breasted Nut Hatches using the 1and 1/8 round hole . Cornell University says Red breasted Nut Hatches will not fit into a 1 and 1/8 round hole , not true for my area !

In my area any hole larger than the 7/8 oval or the 1 and 1/8 round hole needs to come with a warning as the hole size will not keep House Sparrows out . do not use the 1 and 1/8 round hole for any Swallows they will not fit into the 1 and 1/8 round hole but lots of other good birds will fit into it .

Blue Birds need a larger hole than the 7/8 oval or the 1 and 1/8 round hole. So if you want Blue Birds you will have to Trap House sparrows .

I use the words (in my area) as the same bird in another region of the country might be a slightly different size . To test this put up a nest box with a 1 and 1/8 round hole where House Sparrows are and see if they can get in .
I do like comments and feed back ! email [email protected]
Malcolm Victoria B.C