It Started With A Song
I noticed this morning that there was a new but vaguely familiar bird singing in my backyard. I get passers-by all the time so I didn’t take any notice of it at first. Later, I noticed the bird was still singing repeatedly and loudly. He had been at it for over an hour when I decided to take a closer look and see if I could figure out what all the fuss was about.
I looked around in the trees in my backyard but couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming from. Before I knew it, a little bird had landed on the hotly contested bluebird box not twenty feet from my back door. I didn’t recognize the little bird but before he had been on the house 10 seconds he started to sing the song I’d heard all morning. I got out my binocs and was able to ID him as a house wren. The song and the picture came together for me.
House Wrens Don’t Come Highly Recommended
I read in my Stokes guide and also remembered hearing other birders talking about how house wrens can be as aggressive and destructive as house sparrows. I can’t remember who it was but one birder even suggested aggressive means to rid yourself of them. I’m not one to trap and kill a bird on suspicion alone. In fact, I’ve never killed a bird to get it out of my backyard. However, having bluebirds and chickadees in my backyard, both of which are cavity nesters, I thought I’d see how serious he was about nesting there.
I grabbed my iPod loaded up with BirdJam and Stokes CDs and began playing songs back to him whenever I heard him in my yard. He took immediate exception to this but was undaunted in his task to secure the nest. He had already started pulling the other nest material out and putting in twigs. When he heard the other phantom male calls, he would fly away from the nest but returned quickly. Eventually, he only sang back and went about his business.
What Is Your Experience With Them?
I figure that I’ll empty out the box and keep an eye out for other birds looking to move in. From what I understand, the biggest threat is that once they use a box, like house sparrows, they are 10 times more territorial about it. Since the males may set up as many as 12 nests to try to court the female, I figure the odds are low he would use this one even if I did nothing. Still, I don’t want any chickadees or bluebirds to feel unwelcome or threatened in my backyard.
Do you have any house wren stories? I would love to hear them! Leave me a comment using the form below and share them with our readers.
Read The Whole House Wren Story
Tell Me Your House Wren Stories
What To Do With My House Wrens
My House Wrens Are Taking Their Time
My House Wrens Have Disappeared
Get Your Free Copy of
Birdwatching for Beginners
Click Below To Be Taken To The Signup Page
While I agree that wrens can be aggressive, they’re only protecting their territory. Wren houses should not be placed near Bluebird or other nesting sites.
It’s not always so easy for the wrens. Let me describe an incident that took place this week at our house in Wisconsin. My daughter is still very upset about it.
We had a pair of wrens nesting in our birdhouse. We welcome them each year, and look forward to their bubbling song announcing spring.
Something (I suspect the neighborhood cat) knocked the house from the fence post, and made off with the mother wren.
I managed to find four newborn nestlings below and put them back in the nest. The male wren (the singer) returned to the nest numerous times to deliver food (to his wife who feeds the young) but of course she was gone. This morning, I saw him carry each of the dead chicks out of the nest and line them up neatly at the edge of the garden, as if to say “could you please bury these little ones for me?” He made sounds that I had never heard from a wren before, I assume in grief.
Hi Mark,
Don’t misunderstand me. I loved having the house wrens last year and miss them this year. I totally understand their need to defend their territory. I just wanted to get advice from Julie on how to help my bluebirds and them coexist peacefully. It worked out rather well.
I was lucky enough to have my house wrens use my box that was on a birdhouse pole and baffled so neither my squirrels or other predators would have much luck and they did well because of it. However, I also know from my resident Carolina wrens that they tend to prefer boxes on fences or more exposed areas.
Your story is very sad and points to the delicate balance ecosystems are held in and how affecting one link can break the chain.
Your story is also one of the main reasons I support the Cats Indoors program. People who think letting their cats roam freely is “natural” have not seen the stats of killed species of birds and how miserable and short those cats’ lives are.
Thank you for sharing your story and take heart that the father will live to have more young.
BirdDude,
Thanks for your kind comments.
I agree with Cats Indoors. I’m not sure why people let their cats run loose. I suspect they don’t like cleaning the litter box. At the very least, outdoor cats should wear a LOUD bell to give song birds a sporting chance.
By the way, I obliged Mr. Wren’s request by burying the birds in the garden, next to the pepper plants. My daughter anointed each grave with a wild daisy.
Mark
Mark,
In my opinion, domesticated animals that don’t share your living space are livestock and even livestock owners don’t just feed and let their animals run wild.
If people don’t want the responsibility of caring for and sheltering cats and dogs they should not own them.
Off my soapbox…
I’m waiting to hear back from Julie but my initial reaction to your story is that the nest trauma that killed the mother eventually killed the babies.
I know that doesn’t mean much or matter to you.
Kudos for giving them a little memorial garden.
Jeff
Hi,
We also had a pair of house wrens build a nest in our decorative bird house we put up at camp. We are only there on the weekends and it is right off the deck. Well we were enjoying them for the last month or so. but sat both mom and dad were feeding the babies. Then sunday when I woke up I noticed one of the birds (I assume it was the dad) had an insect in his mouth and was waiting for the babys to chirp but nothing. He even looked inside and left then. I didn’t see them all morning but I left at noon to go home. ANy idea what happened?
Hi Rebecca,
Have you checked the bird house to see if the birds have fledged the nest? I would check to make sure they haven’t met with foul play. If there’s no way to carefully open it, you might try first tapping around the entrance to see if they make any sound. I would be careful if it’s not easy to see into the box that a snake may have gotten them and might be sleeping inside.
Let me know if you’re able to hear anything and we’ll go from there.
Jeff
Hi,
I did look inside best i could but didn’t see anything and I did tap but didn’t hear. DO you think they left and I missed it? That would be good. Wouldn’t the dad know though or mom? It’s up high and it didn’t look like anything got in there. The nest was all in place. We are going back tonight for the weekend. Any suggestions?
Should I just leave it?
If it’s been at least a week since you think they hatched they’re probably gone. You’re saying the parents keep showing up with food? The house wrens are unbelievably terratorial and may just be checking back to make sure nobody’s been in there.
If you don’t see anything in there I would just leave it. When they’re ready for another brood, if they’re going to have one, they’ll come back and rebuild fot that.
I wouldn’t empty the house out until after breeding season is over which should be at latest into August. Or if you see them not return for any length of time.
The tricky part here, Rebecca is knowing the timeline when you’re only there on weekends.
Let me know what you find.
Jeff
Hello Jeff,
Your site is the only place I could find on the net to share my wren story. I just figured out earlier today the tiny bird that very likely saved me a trip to the hospital is a house wren. He is new to my yard this year and has been quite entertaining!
Yesterday evening I went into my garden in a shaded area with potted items, a couple tables, tools, etc. to process my garlic. I grabbed some garlic and walked toward the wheelbarrow when I heard loud chit chits. I thought hey, that’s that little birdy; I heard him make the same sounds at the neighbor’s cat a couple weeks ago when it walked by the front yard. So I stood by the wheelbarrow and looked around to see where he was and finally looked down and saw him about a foot off the ground bouncing and chirping on an old tomato cage 3 feet away from me. The little guy was looking toward me so I focused on the ground between us and saw the tail end of a rattlesnake right in between us! I screamed, the little wren flew away, I dashed out of my garden. My husband and I dealt with the snake (2.5″ long, 6 nubs). Usually rattlers will sound off first but this one did not.
If it wasn’t for that little wren, I could have easily stepped on that rattler and got bit. I am so grateful that little bird decided to claim my home and garden as his territory! I live in Northern California.
Hi Andrea,
I’m so glad you stopped by and told us your story! After all the cautionary tales I’ve heard about them it’s good to hear where a house wren really helped you!
I know they are fearless and happy that quality may have saved your life!
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Have you had any nesting in your yard lately?
Jeff
Hello Jeff,
My “yard” is 25 acres and surrounding neighbors have anywhere between 3 – 1,000+ acres. This is the first year I heard the wren’s songs and chatter (after 17 years). I don’t bird watch but do adore nature and admire most all of the wildlife I see. I did see a nest in a nook on the old backhoe and the little fella flying around it. I will keep looking for more.
Now that I am tuned in to the wren’s sounds, I heard one across the creek in my in-law’s yard this past weekend at the same time my little guy was chatting by our front porch. They were about 30 yards apart. Are they less territorial toward each other than other species?
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
House wrens are EXTREMELY territorial towards ANY other birds. Maybe the tolerance was because they were somehow related? It’s hard to say. Here is a short article about one person’s experience with house wrens: https://www.farmanddairy.com/columns/house-wrens-can-be-nasty-neighbors/27143.html
That’s some “yard” by the way-LOL! Glad you’ve taken the time to enjoy all of the wildlife that calls your place home.
Jeff
We have a pair of House Wrens on our side porch. Last year they nested on our back porch and fledged numerous young.The male has always been inquisitive and somewhat mischievous, teasing our dogs away in order to visit.
This year, I believe the male is one of last year’s. He proudly struts his stuff as I sit alone and flits away pronouncing his domain with the vocals I only wish I could achieve.
After feeding his mate tirelessly, he now enjoys her help feeding their brood. He continues to visit me within a couple of feet from my lap showing off the meal he’s bringing in. The more praise he gets the more excited he becomes cocking his head. I have never had this experience before but truly hope this is the beginning of a life long view into the life of our Wren.
Hi Beverly,
Thanks for letting us see a little of your corner of the world!
Wrens are some of the most playful and deliberate species I’ve encountered. Don’t let anybody tell you you’re nuts for thinking they know what you’re telling them either. I really believe birds are especially in tune with the energy you give them by recognizing them in a non-threatening manner. Keep up the good work and conversation with them!
I too hope you can count on them for many years to come.
Jeff
I have boxes on my farm for about 10 years now and always let everyone nest in them except house sparrows of course! But the past couple of years the house wrens have caused to many problems and throwing everyone’s babies out of the nest that I don’t let them use any boxes in my yard anymore.
Hi Jane,
First of all, kudos to you for providing a place for so many birds to have and raise their young!
The key component with these boxes is that they are separated enough to encourage different species. It sounds like you’ve got that nailed down.
The one thing that stood out from my contact with Julie Zickefoose was that a house wren would not tolerate ANY other birds in their nesting area. In most cases, this is at least the size of most peoples’ back yards. This is obviously a problem. She told me that monitoring the boxes and removing even the first pieces of nesting material can set them off. That’s why it’s so good that you are watching and responding.
I was luck enough that my pair did not feel threatened during their stay as I had bluebirds nesting in the same yard that year.
Have you had any further problems with them since you started actively discouraging them?
Jeff
I’ve had them for years, usually multiple pairs around the house. I have not seen them be aggressive but love the songs….and this year they did not show up. I heard one at a friends house but have had none up here, and don’t know what happened. They usually show up like clockwork and sing all summer long – a few years back they vanished for several years and then they were back. But this year it is quiet, only robins, towhees, grosbeaks and lazuli buntings to break the quiet. Wrens are special birds.
Hi Jeff,
We live in Northwest Arkansas and have many feeders, nest boxes and birdbaths on our wooded, 1 acre lot.
I put hanging baskets on our front porch every spring. Carolina Wrens nest in them every year. I just love them. This year, they started making a nest the day I hung the basket. Fast forward to watching them busily take care of their hatchlings. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a male Cardinal hanging around the nest. He never landed on the flower basket, but would sit on the porch railing just below it or on a rose bush in front of the porch. He stayed near the nest all day long. He vocalized and seemed distressed whenever the chicks chirped. At first, I was afraid that he was going to disturb the nest, but he never showed any aggression.
Today, one of the chicks popped out of the nest and fluttered down to the ground. It was much too large for a wren. It made its way to a nearby oak tree and climed up to a low limb. The wrens stayed near it and continued to feed it. The cardinal also stayed near the fledgeling but did not attempt to feed it. I was able to identify it as a Cowbird. As it was sitting on the limb, a Bluejay swooped in and picked it up. I ran toward the tree and yelled. The Cardinal, wrens, and some other birds sounded an alarm and attacked the Jay. The Jay dropped the baby and he landed in the yard. I went to check to see if he was injured and was dive-bombed by both wrens, the cardinal, and two cowbirds! He did not seem to be hurt so I went back on the porch to watch him through binoculars.
The male cardinal and a female cowbird stayed right by him on the grass until he was able to climb back up into a tree. The wrens have been very LOUD and seem stressed since this happened. They have continued to feed him in the tree as well as care for the tiny wrens that remain in the nest. As he moved higher in the tree, the Cardinal moved up with him.
I was able to get a good picture of the fledgeling Cowbird in the oak tree but I was unable to get a good shot of the Cardinal with him.
I would like to know if anyone else has seen this kind of behavior in a cardinal or if anyone has seen an adult cowbird appear to aid a fledgeling. I have never seen anything quite like this. I am sure the tiny wrens in the nest are happy that “Jethro Bodine” has left the nest.
Hi Lyn,
Thank you for sharing your story here!
I have to say that this one confuses me. Cardinals are almost the top of the list of birds victimized by cowbirds. I wouldn’t think wrens even made the list because their nests are usually so small. I’ve also not ever heard of any parenting behavior by a cowbird. Usually their rearing ends with putting an egg in an unsuspecting family nest.
I’ll finish by saying it sounds like the best outcome has come to pass. What normally happens with cowbirds is they grow faster and bigger and starve the rest of the chicks. Sounds like this guy/girl didn’t like tight spaces and moved out on their own. I have no idea why the cardinal took an interest in a cowbird from a wren’s nest. None whatsoever.
Sorry I can’t be of more help here. Do let us know how this all turns out, will you?
Jeff
I have been doing some research and have discovered that although rare, Cowbirds do invade Wren nests. It must be a thight squeze. http://www.sialis.org/cowbirds.htm
https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-cowbird-dilemma/
I haven’t seen the little Cowbird since the day it fledged. I wonder if the Cardinal was trying to warn the Wrens about the imposter? He contiuned to hang around the Wren parents as they fed the babies in the nest. They fledged yesterday. The parents have been sticking very close to them and are very vocal. The Cardinal seems to be leaving them alone. This has been fascinating to watch.
Hi Lyn,
That really surprises me about the cowbirds and wrens. I know cowbirds are massive opportunist but I would still think it’s TOO tight a fit-LOL!
It’s possible the cardinal has been a victim of this beforehand and just thought it was THEIR baby somehow.
I love your enthusiasm because it helps ground us humans, believe me. Like comparing having to change a diaper with having to carry away poop in a sac in your beak? Please-LOL!
Keep us up to snuff on how this plays out.
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I recently wrote about finding what I assume to be a female house wren dead in my blue bird box.What makes matters worse is that there were four eggs in the nest.I have no idea what may have killed the presumed female.What is your advice?
Good Morning from Middle Tennessee. I found a house wren nest in a large pot against the back of my house, with 3 eggs. The papa sings his song every morning close by. 3 days ago we had a lot of rain (a gulley washer) and I found this large pot flooded because the gutter above was full of leaves… 🙁 I cleaned the gutter right then and there even in the rain. I took a stick and reopened the nest and found it had a drowned hatchling and 2 eggs left. I made holes in the soil to help it drain. The next afternoon I checked and the deceased baby and 2 eggs were gone, with no trace left. I have no idea what could have happened to them. Any ideas? Thank you in advance!
Hi Teresa,
Hello back from Middle Tennessee-LOL!
My first thought is that this is a Carolina wren nest and not a house wren. I know you felt bad but you made the best of the situation. It’s really hard to know where they’re going to put nests sometimes. Especially wrens!
You’ve done well to clean up the gully washer rain aftermath. I had a bit of that to do here as well. You should be proud of the effort you’ve made on their behalves!
Unfortunately, it sounds like either a snake or hawk found that nest and has cleaned it out. I know you don’t want to hear that but that’s what I believe. The parents are not able to lift and carry either eggs or their young or even would if they could.
Sometimes nature just makes choices that don’t coincide with human creations.
Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.
Best,
Jeff
Hi. I’m wondering what happened. In the last couple hours the wrens stopped coming and I hear no noise from inside. Yesterday we had one little wren hopping around seeming to have left early before ready. Now I think I hear that sole baby chick in my garden. We’ve had a lot of rain but the house is covered and I can’t imagine water got in. Could all the other babies flown in a matter of moments when I wasn’t aware? Did something happen? I don’t want to disturb anything. It’s just odd as the parents were literally here all the time for the last few weeks and specifically last week to 10 days and now all sounds have ceased except for the one little one chirping. I’m worried. When is ok to look in the house?
Hi Susie,
The amount of time that has passed tells me that they have fledged the nest. Take a look inside. If they’re still there everything will be fine. Mom will continue feeding them until they fledge. Of course, this does assume they haven’t met with foul play.
Do let us know what you find, will you?
Jeff