skip to main content

HELP!!!House Wren in Bluebird Box

14 years ago

Everything was going great until a House Wren decided to go into the Bluebird Box.It was sitting on the nest,which didn't have any eggs laid yet,but only for a few minutes.We have a Nanny Cam and We were watching so We immediately went to the nest box and chased the Wren out.Hubby said he had a good squeeze on it but it got away.My main question is...Will the Blues come back and use that same nest now that the Wren was in there sitting on the nest? Can the Blues smell,or some other way tell that the wren was there? What should I do? Thanks for your help!!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

dzyg
14 years ago
The Bluebirds will not be able to smell the wren, they won't know it was there unless they see it there. You are lucky there weren't any eggs or new hatchlings yet. As soon as your Momma Blue lays that first egg I would get a wren guard up as soon as possible, check out the other posts here about wrens and you will see some pics of what it looks like. Sialis.org has info on them too. A wren guard may not work now that the wren knows the hole is there but it is worth it to try. Good luck. I think I have heard a wren at the neighbors the past few days but not positive, so far haven't heard anything here though.

Donna
0
lisa11310
14 years ago
Donna is right the guard may not work since the Wren knows it's there. One other thought is (when the first egg is laid) to turn the box 1/4 turn, you will have to watch to be sure mom finds the hole and not the Wren. As soon as Mom finds it put the guard up making sure there are sides on the guard so the hole can not be seen from the top of the box. Again make sure Mom finds it. Last ditch effort would be to move the box entirley in plain view of the Blues. If none of this is successful the worst that will happen is you will lose the eggs and the Blues will nest again. Also get a high powered water gun and attack the Wren whenever you see it near the box. Good Luck!
0
Related Discussions
Problem of sorts to many bluebird box's
Q
Comments (2)
Here, here, Ray!!! You are expressing the sentiments of all who have accepted the responsibility of being a responsible bluebird landlord. People start off with good intentions by putting up a nestbox but don't understand that if you don't monitor it and allow only native birds to nest, you're not really helping at all. I do not allow house wrens to nest in any of my nestboxes even though they are native birds because of the very reason you noted. If you allow one pair to nest, they breed more house wrens which return the following year. I check all my boxes frequently during nesting season and stop a nesting as soon as I see twigs inside a box--they can be stubborn little birds but eventually will move on. It makes me sick to think of the number of bluebird eggs that have been lost because of them. I know we all would like to approach each and every homeowner that has a nestbox improperly mounted, too many boxes in an area or that simply has all those "cute little birdhouses" and explain what damage they are actually causing to our native birds. I guess all we can do is try to educate others, gently, when the opportunity arises and continue to do things right in our own corner. Just know there are plenty of us out here who share your frustration! Kathy
...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
wren eggs in box without nest
Q
Comments (4)
Oh my, what a quandary! Our bluebirds have been battling HOWR too. But they have defended their territory and protected their 4 eggs. So far so good. The wren was removing nest material before the bluebird eggs were laid, so there was only a minimal amount of pine needles left in there. All the soft grasses had been removed by the #$@% wren. So the bluebird eggs are being incubated, but are nearly touching the wood floor. I've wondered if I should add some soft grasses, but then, I think, Mama knows best. Sometimes it is difficult to know what to do. Surely a wren guard would not help you at this point. Sorry, I'm no help at all. BlueBars
...See More
help with wrens!
Q
Comments (1)
Since house wrens are protected, you can only discourage them. I have left boxes open, and always remove "dummy" nests that they put in (just sticks, no nest cup). Sometimes if you leave the box open for a few days they will leave to look for more suitable housing, and then you can close the box to make it available to other birds. They are awful, horrible birds. I had a nest of Black-Capped chickadees and they broke every egg and threw them out of the box. Then they didn't even use the box. They are destructive and very persistent.
...See More

Related Stories

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 AND LANDSCAPING Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand

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 The Polite House: What’s an Appropriate Gift to Welcome a New Neighbor?

Etiquette expert Lizzie Post suggests the right time and best presents to introduce a new neighbor to your area

LIFE Share Your Winter Storm Jonas Photos and Survival Tips!

By Becky Harris

Let’s see your pictures and hear your ideas on how you’re keeping your house warm and staving off cabin fever

MOST POPULAR Exclusive Video of Wright’s Jaw-Dropping Hollyhock House

By Annie Thornton

Immerse yourself in the stunningly restored Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece

GARDENING GUIDES 3 Easy Ways You Can Garden for Nature

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Your choice of plants can help wildlife while cleaning the air and water

BASEMENTS Houzz TV: Ashton Kutcher Surprises Mom With the Basement of Her Dreams

In a new Houzz original series, the actor uses the Houzz app to find a designer and shop products to turn the dark area into a bright space

GARDENING GUIDES Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden

HOUZZ TV Houzz TV: Fun Family Living in 980 Square Feet

By Mitchell Parker

In a place known for going big, a family of 4 opts for creative space savers and subtle luxuries instead

Sponsored

Kwon Contracting

29 Reviews

Custom Crafted Woodworking & Cabinetry in Northern Virginia