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Wren House
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House Wren
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Troglodytidae
Genus: Troglodytes
Species: aedon
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La. passer sparrow, small bird
La. forma form, kind, species
Gr. trogle hole or hollow
Gr. dutes burrower
Gr. troglodutes cave dweller
Gr. aedon songstress, nightengale
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Four to five inches. Brownish cinnamon gray with lighter gray underside.
Barred wings and tail with light fringes. Slightly downward curved beak.
Often upturned perky tail, especially when excited. |
Lives in woodlands edges, groves and very
often in or near buildings in farms, towns and suburbs from northern British Columbia and
Alberta to southern Quebec and throughout most of continental US. Migrates to the southern
United States and Mexico for the winter.
USGS Map, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center,
http://www.mbr.nbs.gov/
Male builds several nests almost anywhere out of almost anything to
entice a mate who replaces one nest with her own, usually of fine twigs and lined with
dried grasses or other soft material. Nests have been found in tree cavities, barns,
martin houses, tin cans, jars, planters, hanging clothes, paper bags, hats, shoes, pipes,
cars and even old cow, horse, and oxen skulls. If the cavity they choose is large, they
will fill it full. They like bird houses and various building nooks and crannies. They
will return to selected nesting sites year after year.
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Lays around five to eight, more or less, usually seven, speckled, oblong
to nearly spherical eggs which hatch after about two weeks incubation and
young leave the nest in about another two weeks.
Eats insects and spiders it finds in trees, shrubs, brush piles and on
the ground. |
Louis Agassiz Fuertes |
Bubbly singer. Really irritable. Will not share its territory with others of
its kind and boldly challenges intruders near its nest. When scolding strangers
its beak is wide open, its tongue vibrating, and body trembling with the
violence of its effort.
Wrens are one ot the easiest birds to attract to nest boxs in cities (probably
next to Robins.) A favorable environment always helps increase chances. Plant
trees, shrubs and gardens for cover.
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The
House Wren Birdhouse (same as for Bewicks Wrens and
Winter Wrens)
has a 4" by 4" floor, 8" inside ceiling, 1 1/4" diameter entrance hole
located 6" above the floor and ventilation openings. Assembled with corrosion
resistant screws fit to pre-drilled countersunk pilot holes. Hinged roof is secured with
shutter hooks for easy access.
Suspend hanging wren houses with a few inches of wire so that they swing from tree branchs
or under eaves or mount nest boxes on trees, fences or walls between four and ten feet
high with partial sun and shade. Remove the nests after the brood rearing seasons are
over. |
Louis Agasiz Fuertes |
Male Wrens will build several nests for the female to choose from so
hanging several nest boxes may make an area more attractive.
Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, downy woodpeckers and other wrens may
use these nest boxes. These species may nest in boxes with slightly
larger entrance holes.
Resources
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