A cavity-style nest box sized for bluebirds, a tube feeder for mealworms, and a nearby water source cover the core supplies for attracting Mountain Bluebirds. Mountain Bluebirds are a western species not native to Ontario, and Urban Nature Store's bluebird nest boxes are marketed for the closely related Eastern Bluebird, but the same box dimensions and cavity-nesting design work for Mountain Bluebirds too.
Does a Mountain Bluebird Need a Different Nest Box Than an Eastern Bluebird?
Mountain Bluebirds and Eastern Bluebirds are similarly sized cavity nesters, so a nest box built for one generally suits the other, even though a box's marketing may only name the eastern species. The bluebird nest box, designed by an ornithologist and measuring 16 inches high by 7.5 inches wide by 9 inches deep, is marketed for Eastern Bluebirds specifically, but its dimensions and cavity design match what a Mountain Bluebird needs as well.
Does a Sparrow-Resistant Design Matter for Mountain Bluebirds Too?
Yes. House Sparrows compete aggressively for nest cavities wherever the two species overlap, which includes parts of Mountain Bluebird range in Alberta, not just eastern Canada. The sparrow-resistant bluebird house uses a narrow 1½ by 3½ inch slot instead of a round hole, along with an angled interior block that takes up space a sparrow would want but a bluebird doesn't need.
Do Mountain Bluebirds Eat Mealworms Like Eastern Bluebirds Do?
Yes. Both species are primarily insectivorous, and mealworms offered at a feeder supplement the insects a bluebird would otherwise spend most of a day hunting on the ground. The bluebird mealworm feeder holds 0.8 pounds of mealworms in a metal housing with drainage holes, and a mealworms pouch is enough to keep it stocked through several refills.
Can These Supplies Be Shipped to Alberta Without a Local Store?
Yes. Urban Nature Store has no physical location in Alberta, but ships to any Canadian address, Alberta included, with free shipping on most orders over $125 CAD. A nest box, feeder, and mealworms ordered together often clear that threshold in a single order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bluebird nest box cost?
$27.95 to $109.95 CAD depending on style. The bluebird nest box mentioned above is $69.95 CAD, and the sparrow-resistant bluebird house is $40.95 CAD.
Is there a minimum order for free shipping to Alberta?
Yes. Most Canadian orders over $125 ship free, Alberta included, and anything below that is charged shipping at checkout.
Can a nest box be picked up in-store in Alberta?
No. Urban Nature Store has no physical location in Alberta, so orders shipped there go by home delivery only; in-store pickup is available only at its Ontario locations.
What is the return policy if a nest box ships to Alberta?
45 days, the same as any other order. Items can be returned within that window in original condition with original packaging, though a restocking fee may apply if the packaging is damaged or missing.
