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House Wren Habits

Wren On Branch Attracting the House Wren can be as easy as adding a wren house specifically built for them.

Their nesting and feeding habits are easily observed, as these birds tend to be somewhat tolerant of humans.

Relentlessly searching for insects during the nesting phase, House Wrens can be an asset to the backyard gardener.

House Wren Description

Unlike many others, these birds do not have brightly colored
feathers.

Measuring 5 inches long with a plump body and a short tail.

The upperparts are unstreaked and grayish brown while the underparts are grayish white.

This bird has no prominent field marks.

If you spend any time at all watching these birds, you'll easily know the extent of its territory.

The male usually has three prominent perches from which he defends his territory of 1/2 - 3/4 acres.

Mating Habits

In spring, the male wren arrives and begins to establish his territory. You'll know he has arrived when you begin hearing him sing from his perches.

As you watch, you'll notice he begins placing sticks into prospective nest holes. He may build as many as twelve different nesting sites.

After pairing with a mate, the male takes the female to each of the nesting sites he has begun building.

The female selects the one she likes and begins to rebuild by adding soft materials to the nest before laying eggs.

House wrens are cavity nesters and as such, are an ideal candidate for attracting to birdhouses. In fact, these birds seem to prefer man-made nest boxes to natural cavities.

Nesting Habits

The nesting site can be located anywhere from 4-30 ft. above
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Wrens nest in some funny and strange places. Do you have a story and picture about Wrens nesting around your home? Why not Share it With Our Visitors. Got pictures? We Love Pics - To share your story or read what others have said Click Here
ground. After choosing and rebuilding the nest, the female will lay 5-6 eggs that are white with brown marks.

Incubation time last 12-15 days and the young will leave the nest in 16-17 days.

For their size, these birds can be very aggressive, often piercing other cavity nesting birds eggs. The male will bring food to the female while she incubates the eggs. The House Wrens diet consist almost entirely of insects.

Rarely bothered by general human presence, if the bird watcher gets to close to the nest, she stands a good chance at being scolded.

Welcome this little bird to your yard and garden by placing several houses around your property.

Even if you have a small yard you can place more than one house, consider one in the front yard and one in the back yard

Wrens will generally attempt to raise two broods a season.

Learn About

Wren Houses For Backyard Nesting

Learn the habits of the Carolina Wren

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Condominiums   starstarstarstarstar
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Wrens nest in some funny and strange places. Do you have a story and picture about Wrens nesting around your home? Why not Share it With Our Visitors. Got pictures? We Love Pics - To share your story or read what others have said Click Here

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