Ive enjoyed the tiny house wrens that set up home in my birdhouse next to my patio. I had to move the birdfeeders away from their box. They let me know that wasn't going to work ! Now we are about to see the second batch ( ?) fledge . They are the hardest working parents !! I believe you about the 500 trips . It's non stop over here!
I am delighted to see a couple of wrens living in my new Bluebird house this year. The house never had Bluebirds anyway. The Wren's are friendly, classy, and social birds. They were watching me build a garage today in the yard. It's like they were trying to get to know me.
Thank you for very helpful information. Just right now, house wren is making a nest on our deck. A few years ago, very cold day in winter, I made a cardboard box shelter bird house for (all year around ) humming bird ( we had super cold day 20+ F, they did not come to my shelter house that time. And I kept shelter cardboard box on the deck with hanging. Just lately I found out that house Wren started nesting. I am very new about bird watching. Even I did not know his breed name. I just started to learn about birds. FB Bird group helps me via photos. Your video also helped me. Thank you. I realized that after Wren brought sticks into the box, he was singing ! He learned how to put super long sticks into the box. Hopefully female Wren would come and chose ours, and stay with us … 😊
I am observing a male House Wren at a local park. Along the creek there is a Carolina Wren that I hear now and then. It tends to stay close to the highway part of the creek. Always a joy to see and/or hear.
These are very friendly hard working birds. Wasn’t aware they ate so many insects! Love to see their return. Thanks for another interesting video and sharing your knowledge. Your Canadian Friend.
House Wrens are my absolute FAVORITE birds!! I had some living in my birdhouse for years but since I’ve moved I haven’t seen any 😢 hopefully this video will help me attract them to my yard!
I place a number of my bluebird boxes near or just inside of cover lines for the wrens on my wilderness property in Upper Michigan. It's an entertaining show to have a seat and watch them haul sticks when they build their nests - incredibly industrious construction workers! Fun little warblers with a big voice to have around the yard. They're up at the crack of dawn every day chattering & singing all day long.
@@josefinagaspar8243 Evict the wren and block its access to get back in. Wrens are cute little song birds but they can be annoying at fist light in the morning. It's not nesting season - the bird will find a new home.
I just bought a Triplex birdhouse, it is for Yellow Finch and House Wren, the seller makes all the birdhouses from scratch. He said Yellow Finch and Wren or three House Wrens have no problem to live next to each other. After I watched your video, it doesn't look like that would happen.
Sorry, but Goldfinches are not cavity nesters. And House Wrens will not tolerate any birds nesting that close to them. The wren will fill all three holes with sticks.
I need to put up more nest boxes I got a Carolina Wren, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Brown Headed Nuthatch, and a White Breasted Nuthatch visiting my feeder everyday and I have no clue if they have a mate or are nesting. All 4 appeared last week. When I saw the Brown Headed Nuthatch I built a nest box and put in my woods on a pole with a predator guard. But I ran out of materials to do the same for the other 3. I need to get going to the store. I don't want the Wren messing with my Bluebirds which already have chicks. I do have a free bluebird nest box in the front yard but the wren will have to get along with the Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers there. They did let Chickadees nest in one of the nest boxes.
Despite me smoking on my porch, these little bastards had the guts to set up a nest in my old water cooler I was gonna toss. I see (what I assume is) a mating pair bringing bugs to their chicks and I hear the chicks going crazy each time. All this just a few feet away from where I'm sitting. I went inside and one hopped on my screen window and looked at me in my bedroom, like he was making sure I was gone! So cute. I want to set up some food for them but I'm afraid of other, bigger birds taking their territory, I know in the past my yard has had some aggressive cardinals. If anyone sees this comment and has tips I'd love to hear them.
@@MarksBackyardBirdsBoy are they! I was sitting on my balcony and a pair were inspecting the birdhouse I just put up a day ago! I was able to film it (I posted this feathered interaction on my channel). The male seemed to like his new pad, he was singing his little heart out, but the female didn’t seem too impressed. They returned today (I’m assuming same pair), but so far haven’t filled it with sticks . I’m so hoping they move in. I put a bowl of water in the flower basket and refresh it daily w/ some sunflower seeds.
Now I know what has been raiding the sparrows nests. Would even find the naked little babies out in the middle of the yard away from the nest. Knew something was dropping them there. Now we know.
Here in western PA, we had a pair of Carolina Wrens all winter - loved the suet. But we haven’t seen them since its warmed up. they loved hanging out in our wood-pile. those house wrens are awesome birds-wish we could see them. need to do some research thanks for the video!
So sad. Two babies left their unreachable nest( I used to have a warbler living where they moved in) 😢. One came out of shock in my shirt, the other didn’t recover. They usually nest in the holly bushes) why they decided on a highrise apartment. First ones I ever lost. It’s may. It isn’t supposed to be this cold.curious question... is it possible for Carolina Wrens to miss a person? Or are their lives so short that 4 years worth of hanging out in the garage. At a 4&1/2 ft hight. 2 batches of 3eggs and he had some really nice food exclusively for his “girlfriend”. My husband died in 18 she was in her usual spot last year. Perhaps this catastrophe will make her go back down. 🧐
I have a house wren fledgling that’s orphaned and I have been taking care of him. If he lives too where he can leave the nest will he be able to find other wrens to show him how to hunt and migrate? Is there a way I can teach him to hunt?
Your best bet is to release him as close to where the nest was and his natural instincts will take over or an adult will take him in. If you have an animal rehab facility in your area, you should give them a call for the best advice.
By the way, my wrens box’s are a tight 1” and the Blackheads will squeeze into the tight hole. I made the hole on the new boxes for the chickadees 1 1/8 so they could get inside easier, they are the exact same box as the wrens ….
That should help. House Wrens are so aggressive, I can't imagine the chickadees fairing well when they return. We just had our first sighting here yesterday.
I got tree swallows and house wrens growing in back yard now. They seem to get along, I haven't seen any skirmishes. The house wrens in a Peterson blue bird house.
The two do not compete for the same food. Tree Swallows only eat flying insects, while House Wrens get their bugs from vegetation. I would still be leery of the House Wrens, they are sneaky little birds. Hopefully the boxes are far enough apart.
Hey, i have a large property. I am looking at implementing a lot of boxes to help with the terrible onslaught of mosquitos. How many boxes per cluster and how far apart from one another in the same cluster? Also, how far apart should each cluster (mating pair) be from one another? Also, would installing boxes onto tree trunks be suitable? Also, what other birds would you recommend providing housing for to make an impact on mosquitos?
Nest boxes are wonderful when managed properly. The trouble with placing a lot of nest boxes is that you are making a commitment to monitor and maintain them. With a large property, hopefully you have some dead timber and limbs that provide natural nesting cavities. It also depends where you are, as to what species you can attract. A word of warning, very few birds eat mosquitos as they are active at night when birds are sleeping. Those who do eat them, Chimney Swifts, Whip-poor-wills, etc are not cavity nesting birds. Many cavity nesting birds like chickadees, wrens, bluebirds, and Purple Martins eat tons of insects and are super beneficial if you want to pursue those types of nesting structures.
@MarksBackyardBirds mosquitos on my property are active no matter the time of day. I am okay with the amount of work, that is no issue. It gives me another excuse to walk the woods
@@normalguy556 good for you! Nothing better than good habitat. Bats are far better at mosquito control than birds. I would recommend installing some bat boxes.
@MarksBackyardBirds bat houses are also in my download box to make along side the wren houses. Can you speak on the distance questions in the original comment?
@@normalguy556 I’m t is highly variable by species. Bluebirds are open country birds and the distance between boxes is recommended at 100 yards. House Wrens are super territorial and will break eggs of other birds. We typically cluster a few boxes together in a small area. They like areas of mixed woods and open. You may want to check out nestwatch.org by Cornell for tons of neat box information
Thank you for the information, I found a pair of Bewick wren nesting outside of my window today!!! I didn’t know until I opened the box and saw sleeping babies inside. I was so worried that I disturbed it, I didn’t even get a chance to count how many there were.
That is hard to know for sure. Mortality in birds is quite high and birds find new mates pretty quickly. We do feel that the same birds do return to their nesting territories over time when they can.
Well here it is 10th of April. I have four boxes out for wrens. Normal as normal black cap chickadee are moving in. This year as normal I just Seen 4 wrens , they will chase the Black head Of the box’s . I made two more boxes with one, 8 inch. Hole s for The Chickadee, hoping they will move in after the wrens run them off. And you are right the wrens are very aggressive but I love their songs, And every year the babies come back.But! I do love the black caps also,
Great video.!! What should be the minimum distance between sets of wren houses so the one pair doesn't claim all of them? Is it a sight distance, like around a corner? Or an actual distance. We have plenty of property for 2 or 3 families to include bluebirds and tree swallows. I have 3 wren, 6 bb and 2 swallow boxes to prepare and set up. Currently, 2 of the bb boxes were placed in wrong spots and a wren took the one closest to the woods and the tree swallows successfully 2 years in a row.
The House Wren to bluebird and other boxes distance is the most important. The wrens are very territorial so I've seen everything from 50 to 200 yards. Site selection will take care of that a lot. Wrens will claim a patch of trees or yard for themselves. If you have "patches" of trees that have a natural separation, that would like work the best. Keep those bluebirds and swallows out in the open spaces.
When do we need to get the wren houses out. What time of year. It is March 31 here in central MO. No leaves on trees. 26 degrees last night. High today 44 degrees.
Like most birds, their migration is driven by day length instead of temperature and vegetation. We start to see male House Wrens in Mid April. They typically sneak around a bit before they start singing. The females arrive a week or so after the males.
@@MarksBackyardBirds We have house wrens now. We have them visit the feeders all winter consistently. We also have the golf finches. The males are changing to the daffodil yellow now. Will the house wrens use the little wren houses?
@@cherriemcbratney162 Does your wren have an eye stripe and a creamy colored breast? House Wrens do not typically overwinter in Missouri. They migrate to Mexico and Central America. Carolina Wrens do overwinter and feed on sunflower chips, peanuts and suet. Carolina's will nest in bluebird nest boxes.
"Dont place your wren houses near your blubird houses" Well that is all fine and good but I just found a pair of house wrens nesting in one of my bluebird houses, instead of the wren houses I put out. Lol
I have to keep the grill on the front of my Honda CRV covered while parked, or else they try to build their nest in it. It has large holes and sort of honeycomb shape. Honda needs to rethink this design. The holes are large enough for birds to enter.
Mine won’t let the chickadees anywhere on the property! So fun to watch them! They are in a bluebird house right now. We put up 3 houses of different sizes. All are on a pole with a baffle.
Ive enjoyed the tiny house wrens that set up home in my birdhouse next to my patio. I had to move the birdfeeders away from their box. They let me know that wasn't going to work ! Now we are about to see the second batch ( ?) fledge . They are the hardest working parents !! I believe you about the 500 trips . It's non stop over here!
@@levans3447 They are busy little buggers
I am delighted to see a couple of wrens living in my new Bluebird house this year. The house never had Bluebirds anyway. The Wren's are friendly, classy, and social birds. They were watching me build a garage today in the yard. It's like they were trying to get to know me.
They are very vocal!
Thank you for very helpful information. Just right now, house wren is making a nest on our deck. A few years ago, very cold day in winter, I made a cardboard box shelter bird house for (all year around ) humming bird ( we had super cold day 20+ F, they did not come to my shelter house that time. And I kept shelter cardboard box on the deck with hanging. Just lately I found out that house Wren started nesting. I am very new about bird watching. Even I did not know his breed name. I just started to learn about birds. FB Bird group helps me via photos. Your video also helped me. Thank you. I realized that after Wren brought sticks into the box, he was singing ! He learned how to put super long sticks into the box. Hopefully female Wren would come and chose ours, and stay with us … 😊
Good luck and thanks for helping our feathered friends.
I am observing a male House Wren at a local park. Along the creek there is a Carolina Wren that I hear now and then. It tends to stay close to the highway part of the creek. Always a joy to see and/or hear.
Both are charmers!
These are very friendly hard working birds. Wasn’t aware they ate so many insects! Love to see their return. Thanks for another interesting video and sharing your knowledge.
Your Canadian Friend.
They are insect eating machines!
House Wrens are my absolute FAVORITE birds!! I had some living in my birdhouse for years but since I’ve moved I haven’t seen any 😢 hopefully this video will help me attract them to my yard!
Fingers crossed!
They make way too much noise .Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can .
@@coolroy4300 I actually love all the noise from them!! Their song is so pretty
WoW!! Love my house wren!!!
Amazing songsters!
I place a number of my bluebird boxes near or just inside of cover lines for the wrens on my wilderness property in Upper Michigan. It's an entertaining show to have a seat and watch them haul sticks when they build their nests - incredibly industrious construction workers! Fun little warblers with a big voice to have around the yard. They're up at the crack of dawn every day chattering & singing all day long.
They are amazing little birds.
I got a house wren in my house how do I get it out
@@josefinagaspar8243 Evict the wren and block its access to get back in. Wrens are cute little song birds but they can be annoying at fist light in the morning. It's not nesting season - the bird will find a new home.
I just bought a Triplex birdhouse, it is for Yellow Finch and House Wren, the seller makes all the birdhouses from scratch. He said Yellow Finch and Wren or three House Wrens have no problem to live next to each other. After I watched your video, it doesn't look like that would happen.
Sorry, but Goldfinches are not cavity nesters. And House Wrens will not tolerate any birds nesting that close to them. The wren will fill all three holes with sticks.
@@MarksBackyardBirds Thanks for the info. Didn't know Wren is that territorial, it is just a little bird.
Mark, Great job . Thanks for the great vid. 👍🏻🇺🇸
I need to put up more nest boxes I got a Carolina Wren, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Brown Headed Nuthatch, and a White Breasted Nuthatch visiting my feeder everyday and I have no clue if they have a mate or are nesting. All 4 appeared last week. When I saw the Brown Headed Nuthatch I built a nest box and put in my woods on a pole with a predator guard. But I ran out of materials to do the same for the other 3. I need to get going to the store. I don't want the Wren messing with my Bluebirds which already have chicks. I do have a free bluebird nest box in the front yard but the wren will have to get along with the Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers there. They did let Chickadees nest in one of the nest boxes.
Those Brown-headed Huthatches are so tiny. Sounds like a great variety in your yard.
Thank You! Very interesting!😊
Despite me smoking on my porch, these little bastards had the guts to set up a nest in my old water cooler I was gonna toss. I see (what I assume is) a mating pair bringing bugs to their chicks and I hear the chicks going crazy each time. All this just a few feet away from where I'm sitting. I went inside and one hopped on my screen window and looked at me in my bedroom, like he was making sure I was gone! So cute.
I want to set up some food for them but I'm afraid of other, bigger birds taking their territory, I know in the past my yard has had some aggressive cardinals. If anyone sees this comment and has tips I'd love to hear them.
They are bold little birds.
@@MarksBackyardBirdsBoy are they! I was sitting on my balcony and a pair were inspecting the birdhouse I just put up a day ago! I was able to film it (I posted this feathered interaction on my channel). The male seemed to like his new pad, he was singing his little heart out, but the female didn’t seem too impressed. They returned today (I’m assuming same pair), but so far haven’t filled it with sticks . I’m so hoping they move in. I put a bowl of water in the flower basket and refresh it daily w/ some sunflower seeds.
@@phylr3983 they love the mealworms. Dried or live
@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you!! I’ll start with dry. I’m not courageous enough yet for live!
@@phylr3983 I understand. You are not alone.
Now I know what has been raiding the sparrows nests. Would even find the naked little babies out in the middle of the yard away from the nest. Knew something was dropping them there. Now we know.
More likely a bluejay.
4:40 I have one putting together his sticks in my birdhouse 8 ft. fom me now off my porch off my deck .
They are hard workers
Great show. Thanks for the wonderful work.
Just found you and subscribed immediately,
Thanks so much.
Here in western PA, we had a pair of Carolina Wrens all winter - loved the suet. But we haven’t seen them since its warmed up. they loved hanging out in our wood-pile. those house wrens are awesome birds-wish we could see them. need to do some research thanks for the video!
Glad to know the Carolina survived what ended up being a pretty harsh stretch of weather. I'm sure the suet helped!
So sad. Two babies left their unreachable nest( I used to have a warbler living where they moved in) 😢. One came out of shock in my shirt, the other didn’t recover. They usually nest in the holly bushes) why they decided on a highrise apartment. First ones I ever lost. It’s may. It isn’t supposed to be this cold.curious question... is it possible for Carolina Wrens to miss a person? Or are their lives so short that 4 years worth of hanging out in the garage. At a 4&1/2 ft hight. 2 batches of 3eggs and he had some really nice food exclusively for his “girlfriend”. My husband died in 18 she was in her usual spot last year. Perhaps this catastrophe will make her go back down. 🧐
I hear “pretty pretty pretty Prit” at least they answer me when I do that.
@@wandawilliams2397 I can hear that.
@@wandawilliams2397 That is really hard to know. We know that certain birds do become attached to people.
I have a house wren fledgling that’s orphaned and I have been taking care of him. If he lives too where he can leave the nest will he be able to find other wrens to show him how to hunt and migrate? Is there a way I can teach him to hunt?
Your best bet is to release him as close to where the nest was and his natural instincts will take over or an adult will take him in. If you have an animal rehab facility in your area, you should give them a call for the best advice.
By the way, my wrens box’s are a tight 1” and the Blackheads will squeeze into the tight hole. I made the hole on the new boxes for the chickadees 1 1/8 so they could get inside easier, they are the exact same box as the wrens ….
That should help. House Wrens are so aggressive, I can't imagine the chickadees fairing well when they return. We just had our first sighting here yesterday.
Wrens are not shy 🤣🤣🤣🤣 i have bewick and carolina ...
What birds are most likely to eat the spotted lantern fly nymphs?
Evidently, several species may eat them including Northern Cardinals. Opportunities for Insect eating species lead to consumption
I got tree swallows and house wrens growing in back yard now. They seem to get along, I haven't seen any skirmishes. The house wrens in a Peterson blue bird house.
The two do not compete for the same food. Tree Swallows only eat flying insects, while House Wrens get their bugs from vegetation. I would still be leery of the House Wrens, they are sneaky little birds. Hopefully the boxes are far enough apart.
Hey, i have a large property. I am looking at implementing a lot of boxes to help with the terrible onslaught of mosquitos. How many boxes per cluster and how far apart from one another in the same cluster? Also, how far apart should each cluster (mating pair) be from one another? Also, would installing boxes onto tree trunks be suitable?
Also, what other birds would you recommend providing housing for to make an impact on mosquitos?
Nest boxes are wonderful when managed properly. The trouble with placing a lot of nest boxes is that you are making a commitment to monitor and maintain them. With a large property, hopefully you have some dead timber and limbs that provide natural nesting cavities. It also depends where you are, as to what species you can attract. A word of warning, very few birds eat mosquitos as they are active at night when birds are sleeping. Those who do eat them, Chimney Swifts, Whip-poor-wills, etc are not cavity nesting birds. Many cavity nesting birds like chickadees, wrens, bluebirds, and Purple Martins eat tons of insects and are super beneficial if you want to pursue those types of nesting structures.
@MarksBackyardBirds mosquitos on my property are active no matter the time of day. I am okay with the amount of work, that is no issue. It gives me another excuse to walk the woods
@@normalguy556 good for you! Nothing better than good habitat. Bats are far better at mosquito control than birds. I would recommend installing some bat boxes.
@MarksBackyardBirds bat houses are also in my download box to make along side the wren houses. Can you speak on the distance questions in the original comment?
@@normalguy556 I’m t is highly variable by species. Bluebirds are open country birds and the distance between boxes is recommended at 100 yards. House Wrens are super territorial and will break eggs of other birds. We typically cluster a few boxes together in a small area. They like areas of mixed woods and open. You may want to check out nestwatch.org by Cornell for tons of neat box information
Thank you for the information, I found a pair of Bewick wren nesting outside of my window today!!! I didn’t know until I opened the box and saw sleeping babies inside. I was so worried that I disturbed it, I didn’t even get a chance to count how many there were.
That is great. We don't see Bewicks up here in Kansas City anymore. The nest in southern Missouri and states to our south and west.
Do you know if the same birds return to the same boxes?
That is hard to know for sure. Mortality in birds is quite high and birds find new mates pretty quickly. We do feel that the same birds do return to their nesting territories over time when they can.
Awesome! Just subbed!
Thanks! Welcome to the channel.
Well here it is 10th of April. I have four boxes out for wrens. Normal as normal black cap chickadee are moving in. This year as normal I just Seen 4 wrens , they will chase the Black head Of the box’s . I made two more boxes with one, 8 inch. Hole s for The Chickadee, hoping they will move in after the wrens run them off. And you are right the wrens are very aggressive but I love their songs, And every year the babies come back.But! I do love the black caps also,
I hope they can both nest successfully
Great video.!! What should be the minimum distance between sets of wren houses so the one pair doesn't claim all of them? Is it a sight distance, like around a corner? Or an actual distance. We have plenty of property for 2 or 3 families to include bluebirds and tree swallows. I have 3 wren, 6 bb and 2 swallow boxes to prepare and set up. Currently, 2 of the bb boxes were placed in wrong spots and a wren took the one closest to the woods and the tree swallows successfully 2 years in a row.
The House Wren to bluebird and other boxes distance is the most important. The wrens are very territorial so I've seen everything from 50 to 200 yards. Site selection will take care of that a lot. Wrens will claim a patch of trees or yard for themselves. If you have "patches" of trees that have a natural separation, that would like work the best. Keep those bluebirds and swallows out in the open spaces.
May seem from left field, but there's a small tomahawk called a Jenny Wren, from RMJ Tactical. It's small, light, and very aggressive.
😂
When do we need to get the wren houses out. What time of year. It is March 31 here in central MO. No leaves on trees. 26 degrees last night. High today 44 degrees.
Like most birds, their migration is driven by day length instead of temperature and vegetation. We start to see male House Wrens in Mid April. They typically sneak around a bit before they start singing. The females arrive a week or so after the males.
@@MarksBackyardBirds We have house wrens now. We have them visit the feeders all winter consistently. We also have the golf finches. The males are changing to the daffodil yellow now. Will the house wrens use the little wren houses?
@@cherriemcbratney162 Does your wren have an eye stripe and a creamy colored breast? House Wrens do not typically overwinter in Missouri. They migrate to Mexico and Central America. Carolina Wrens do overwinter and feed on sunflower chips, peanuts and suet. Carolina's will nest in bluebird nest boxes.
I believe what we have is a Carolina Wren. A female has made a nest in the wreath on our glass front door. There are 5 eggs in her nest.
@@cherriemcbratney162 That is a classic nesting spot for them.
"Dont place your wren houses near your blubird houses"
Well that is all fine and good but I just found a pair of house wrens nesting in one of my bluebird houses, instead of the wren houses I put out. Lol
They will do that, unfortunately.
I have to keep the grill on the front of my Honda CRV covered while parked, or else they try to build their nest in it. It has large holes and sort of honeycomb shape. Honda needs to rethink this design. The holes are large enough for birds to enter.
@@judysentell5956 They will nest in the craziest places.
Mine won’t let the chickadees anywhere on the property! So fun to watch them! They are in a bluebird house right now. We put up 3 houses of different sizes. All are on a pole with a baffle.
Cheeburger cheeburger indeed
You remember that old skit!
Yep cheese burger for sure 😎
Remember the old Saturday Night Live skit? "Chee burger, chee burger, chee burger, chip" I hear it every time.
Haha! Yes! Cheeseburger cheeseburger!!
How to attract them?? Simply overwinter your kayak upside down. They are sure to come and nest there, as I’ve discovered this morning 😊 🪹 🐦
They will nest in the "darndest" places.
Out to buy a kayak!