wren guards and other birds

17 years ago

do you think that the wren guard protects the nest from other birds,too, considering that it hides the entrance hole from sight? Do people still have trouble with sparrows with wren guard in place?

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Comments (3)

dzyg
17 years ago
Hey Anita, I thought that too until one day I watched my momma Bluebird go up under the wren guard on the Chickadee nestbox. She was getting a bug on the ground before that and must have seen the hole when she was on the ground. So while it may take a bird longer to find a nestbox with a wren guard I don't think it is fullproof to stop HOSP as they could easily find the hole too if on the ground or by observing another bird going in and out of the nestbox with a wren guard. Just my opinion really but that it how it seems anyway.

Donna
anita55
Original Author
17 years ago
So why does it always stop wrens? I don't know if there's a discussion of why it works I missed it. I know they land on top of the box, but so do all the other birds. Have you ever seen another bird go under the wren guard (besides the bluebird)?
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Comments (12)
did you use duct tape to attach? COOL!!! will add one right now! I'll get the dimensions of where it needs to be.. BIG SIGH! Yes, here is the quote from sialis.. "Try a modified Noel guard: Suggestion from Bernie Daniel: When a Chickadee or bluebird is established (i.e., a nest or eggs) build a "vanity front porch" on the box for them. Cut an old 2 quart milk carton in half. Cut a 1.5' hole in the bottom. Trim back the sides to about 4" in depth (now you have created a 4" bowl with a hole the bottom.) Center the hole in the bottom of the former milk carton over the nestbox hole and tack it onto the door. You can cut the bottom of the "porch" off so it is easier to attach and so that the Chickadee has access to the wooden door -- but keep the sides and top in place. (Basically this is a just a plastic "Noel guard" with no bottom). This creates a vestibule that prevents the wren for seeing the chickadee fly into the hole. Thus, the wren has less interest in what the chickadee is doing. Daniel has never lost a nest to wrens since using this method. " on this page: http://www.sialis.org/wrens.htm about a third of the way down.
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Comments (5)
I would try again if you have wrens in your area. Some birds just take longer to figure it out than others. I know it is gut wrenching to watch but it is for their own good. I've had to take it off too and try again so don't feel bad. Does it have sides? No sides does help at first but I recommend adding them. I have seen wrens repeatedly crawling all over a box trying to find a way in. I've done this for 6 or 7 years now and the Blues always find a way in eventually. I had a female last year that was not getting it at all. I had to cut a flap in the guard right in front of the hole and tape it back so she could see the hole and when she got used to that I taped it back down. Is there at least 2 1/2" in front. I leave 3" at least until they get used to it. Good Luck Cathy
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Comments (5)
Renee, Thanks for the info. I should have mentioned I had read that and I'm still a little uncertain. I found both following statments at that website.... "Bluebirds tend to be more tolerant of box changes, and it may be wise to put up the wren guard as soon as the bluebirds start a nest, since once the House Wren finds the box, the guard is less effective at deterring them." "Put up the guard after the first egg (or two or three) of the desired-cavity nester has been laid. (On occasion, people have put the guard up before an egg was laid, and have had it accepted, especially if the parents are tolerant of monitoring." I know these blues are pretty tolerant, but I just ripped out the nest they were working on (to remove the old nest with unviable eggs). I'm afraid if I put the guard on now, they may have just had enough disturbances to give up. I'm also afraid to wait too long, and have the wrens discover the box, because I'm pretty sure once that happens, the wren guard won't be much help. I was hoping someone could share some personal success that could help me decide how long to wait. Thanks again Renee.
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Comments (4)
Suzanne, a spooker should always be installed after the first egg is laid, if possible. Once an egg appears, the pair is more bonded to the nestbox and less likely to abandon it. However, if the spooker is installed after the female begins incubating eggs, you must observe the box to make certain that the spooker is accepted and she reenters fairly quickly. You don't want to interrupt the incubation cycle. Kathy
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dzyg
17 years ago
If a wren was on the ground and could see the hole of a nestbox with a wren guard on it, it would find it too. I think cause they normally are on top and try to look down if you have a wren guard with sides on it, it won't see the hole. No I haven't seen any other bird other than the bluebird go under it, that was a first for me. Since HOSP are such nasty things that nest anywhere I could see one following another bird under one, not sure if that is true or not but I wouldn't put anything past them.

Donna

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wren guards and other birds

Comments (3)

dzyg

anita55
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wren guards and other birds

Comments (3)

dzyg

anita55Original Author

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dzyg

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anita55
Original Author