skip to main content

carolina wrens checking BB box

15 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

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

bluebars
15 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
15 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...
Related Discussions
YAY male bb checking out the boxes!!
Q
Comments (5)
The waxworms are expensive as the dickens. Couldn't you try feeding mealworms if the temperature/weather doesn't cooperate? My favorite benefit to early nesting is the lack of House Wrens early in the season. I have yet to host Blues in my boxes, but the Black-capped Chickadees that nested early last year avoided predation by the House Wrens. I guess there are trade-offs one way or the other.
...See More
Wrens taking cover..
Q
Comments (7)
Back to the original question about letting house wrens nest. For the last few years, house wrens have tried to kill day old chicks (bluebird, titmouse, carolina wren) and ready-to-hatch eggs. I have video to show you how fast and awful they are...the videos are below. They also will peck eggs of other birds and throw them out of the nest boxes and take over the box. You do NOT want house wrens...you CAN discourage them even if you can't legally do more than that. Check out these videos: Bet posted this one for me: House Wren throws chicks out of nest The next day, the house wren threw a few of them out of the box again but I was able to get them and put them back in the box. Here's Bet's video of a house wren destroying eggs: House Wren destroys eggs I don't have video of two other instances: one where I found 6 ready-to-hatch titmice eggs on the ground by the box in the short time it took me to get to the box. I put 2 eggs back in that hadn't been as badly harmed. Only one titmouse lived and when that chick was about 15 days old, a house wren came into the box and attacked the chick!!! Last year, I found 6 just hatched chickadees at the foot of the box but I could only find 5 of the chicks. I put them back, put a wren guard on and they survived. I know there are more instances of the damage that I've had and so have others. Bluebird blessings, Linda...
...See More
Should I evict my Carolina wren?
Q
Comments (4)
It is just natural competition. Carolina wrens are harmless native birds, not invasive imports! It is illegal to disturb their nest. If the Carolinas are building, then the chickadees have already moved on. Anyway, I think they can enter with a 1&1/8-inch reducer. Why not put up another house? Maybe the chickadees will try again. I would be THRILLED to host either one or both. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/nestboxguide.htm
...See More
big scare with carolina wren in bb box!
Q
Comments (4)
Hi again, I've done some more reading about house wrens. I assumed this was a Carolina Wren because of the distinctive white stripe from the eye. But I just read that house wrens have a white eye circle. I caught a still image from today's video and now I'm really confused! Linda... Here is a link that might be useful: what kind of wren is this?
...See More
organic_bassetlvr
15 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
15 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
15 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
15 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...

Related Stories

COTTAGE STYLE Houzz Tour: Lowcountry Charm for a South Carolina Cottage

By Becky Harris

Smart design and beautiful views help a family of 5 live comfortably in 1,200 square feet

GARDENING GUIDES How to Bring the Joy of Bluebirds to Your Garden

By Habitat Network

Attract these beautiful songbirds with nesting habitat and food sources, including berry-producing trees and shrubs

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

LIFE Retirement Reinvention: Boomers Plot Their Next Big Move

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Choosing a place to settle in for the golden years? You're not alone. Where boomers are going and what it might look like

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Home Purchases Worth the Splurge

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Make buyer's remorse over furniture, textiles and more a thing of the past with this wise purchasing advice

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Hardworking Studio!

By Annie Thornton

Upload a photo of your home studio or workshop and tell us how you’ve designed it to work extra hard for you

REMODELING GUIDES Cool Your House (and Costs) With the Right Insulation

By Buckminster Green LLC

Insulation offers one of the best paybacks on your investment in your house. Here are some types to discuss with your contractor

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Marvel at Chickadees This Winter

By Habitat Network

These North American natives flock to bird feeders and entertain with their complex birdcalls

GREEN BUILDING Houzz Tour: Going Completely Off the Grid in Nova Scotia

By Mitchell Parker

Powered by sunshine and built with salvaged materials, this Canadian home is an experiment for green building practices

More Discussions

Bluebirds never leave North Texas boxes.

0