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carolina wrens checking BB box

17 years ago

Hiyah,

Two days this week, I had a Carolina Wren in the BB box! From what I understand and what I found in sialis.org, they usu. nest in 'unusual' places like "...tree cavities/crotches/upturned roots, vines, conifers, roots, tree stumps, abandoned cars, garages, porches, rafters, shoes, shelves, mailboxes, stone walls, pockets of a coat, hanging bags, ... etc."

I have lots of vines, roots, tree stumps, rafters, etc.... What's going on? I also had chickadees check out the box but that's pretty normal. And, unfortunately, I had a starling poke its head inside which caused Mama and Daddy Blue to dive bomb him.

The bluebirds are never far away. When the most recent Carolina Wren visited, Daddy Blue was right behind him and blocked the hole. I was watching "Bird TV" (I have a nest box video cam inside the box) so I went outside to distract Daddy to move from the hole and the Carolina Wren slipped out. The video is interesting in that the wren kept trying to jump up to the 'ceiling' which gives one a "bird's eye view", literally.

The bluebirds are protecting the box and mealie feeder but haven't yet put a down payment on it.

If you want to see these videos, I have them on my blog.

Bluebird blessings, Linda...

All the visitors have been met with

Here is a link that might be useful: videos of carolina wren visits

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Comments (6)

bluebars
17 years ago
LOL, if the bluebirds want the house, they can trump the Carolina Wren. Can you add another little house for them? Sometimes the Carolina Wren tries to quickly slip into the mealworm feeder to sneak a mealworm or two, and usually Mama Bluebird gives him a stare-down. The second she looks away, zip zip, ha ha, got one, nah nah. Too funny.
BlueBars
lcmoore99
Original Author
17 years ago
Bluebirds,

That is too funny :)

I had a 'too funny', sort of. I have the camcorder set up on the outside of the box. I scan the videos when I can. I found a video where a CHKD put its head in the box, then it was chased away by a nuthatch who put its head in the box, then it was chased away by Daddy Blue!!!

I really think there is a loss of habitat here in my neck 'o the world, with two enormous stands of trees taken down on each side of me, all the birds are here. I'm going to have to put up some more boxes with the hopes that the chickadees can get their brood in and fledged before the HOWRs arrive.

Linda...
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organic_bassetlvr
17 years ago
Okay,
I give up-what's a CHKD? Chicken Hearted King Dovekie?
Chukar Hawk Kinglet Dipper? Curlew Heron Kestrel Dicksissel? Canvas Hummingbird Kite Duck? Inquiring minds want to know.
Susan
lcmoore99
Original Author
17 years ago
Susan,

I'm sorry I used an abbreviation but I gotta say it was worth it to see your guesses...TOO FUNNY!

CHKD is chickadee

Wanna guess what TUTI is???
organic_bassetlvr
17 years ago
Oh for goodness sake,
I should have known that one but it just wouldn't click! Believe it or not, I know what a TUTI is but we could make up some more original guesses such as Turnstone Tyrannulet Ibis or Turkey Tattler Ivory-bill. I just saw the 1st TRES checking out houses Sat. There are 4 BB houses on my property & so far I've seen the blues, the TRES and the CHKD checking out the same one! I'm sure they'll sort it out. I don't know the abbrev for nuthatch! NUHA? Anyhow they are at the feeders but never have seen a nest in one of my boxes. Also never had a TUTI in a house. I'm going to google the abbreviation list & print it out for future reference.
Susan
lcmoore99
Original Author
17 years ago
WBNU is the abbreviation for the white breasted nuthatch, so I assume it'd be BHNU for brown-headed nuthatch.

TUTIs are wonderful tenants and parents. Last year I had a pair in a bluebird box where the brood was almost wiped out by HOWR (house wrens). There were 6 eggs and the day before they would have hatched, I found all of the eggs on the ground below the nest box pecked to varying degrees. I put the least damaged egg back in and it hatched. I had a nest box camera and saw that the female nuthatch RARELY left the chick alone and stayed with it every night of its life. I don't know if that's normal or it was this female's reaction to having only one chick. In any case, they are a delight.

Hope you have a nest of them someday.

Bluebird blessings, Linda...

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