House Wren Building Nest

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  • #9213
    NickNackHummer
    Participant

      I am so frustrated. A house wren is now building a nest in my bluebird box. I will remove the nesting material, of course, but he’ll still be around.

      I guess I was lucky that I never saw a HOSP or HOWR the entire time the bluebirds were nesting. The minute they left, though, the male HOSP arrived and took over the box. I wasn’t properly prepared with the VanErt trap that I thought I had and had to wait for a new one to be delivered. Then I caught the female and not the male.

      I was so looking forward to having another nest of bluebirds this season, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.

      Carol
      East Tennessee

      #9219
      Carol – Mid-Mo.
      Participant

        Sorry about that, Carol – if you could put up more than one nestbox it really helps – you can let the HOSP or wren keep busy in an extra box while the blues build and nest. I realize that is not always possible but it one secret that works well. Like you are doing just keep taking out their sticks to discourage them. Once they have a full nest with cup it is not proper to remove them any more.

        #9220
        NickNackHummer
        Participant

          Thanks Carol. I was reading about HOWR last night and found out that I can’t remove the nest once it’s fully built. I wish they weren’t protected but will respect that. I think I’ll remove the sticks and leave the box open for a week. I think that was suggested on sailis.org.

          I have a small yard and really can’t put up another nest box. I did put up a 2nd box one year–a Peterson PVC box–and had a HOWR build a nest and have babies. I hadn’t realized it so couldn’t stop it.

          I really am not seeing the bluebirds anymore. I’ve only seen them a couple of times since the babies fledged.

          Carol
          East Tennessee

          #9224
          Carol – Mid-Mo.
          Participant

            Carol, the parents will usually take the babies away from their nesting area for around 10 days to teach them to fly better and to how to hunt for food. Usually, but not always, they will then return to the nesting area with the babies, especially if you are feeding them worms or something. Hope you get to see them and have another nesting.

            #9225
            NickNackHummer
            Participant

              Thanks Carol. The babies fledged on the 19th. I’m feeding dried mealworms, which they seemed to like. I did see the male bluebird at the mealworm feeder today. I hope I’ll get to see the babies before they grow up.

              I emptied the sticks from the nest box and left the door open. It pulls up instead of down, and it closed on its own after a few hours. I haven’t seen a HOWR since, but I’ll keep an eye out and remove anymore sticks that I see.

              Carol
              East Tennessee

              #9232
              Rich K
              Participant

                I usually have success removing sticks from HOWR building. They usually get discouraged after 2 or 3 times and move on. Unlike the HOSP who I have to eliminate permanently. I did what Carol suggested and let a HOWR be distracted in my Gilbertson box while the Blues built a nest in the Slot Box. Unfortunately I had a 5 day stay in hospital and when I got back the HOWR had 6 eggs. They never seem to bother my Blues though but I usually kick them out before they are done building a nest.

                #9237
                Carol – Mid-Mo.
                Participant

                  Rich, hope you are recuperating okay – Yes, I have good luck having more than one box to keep an unwanted nester busy so they leave the BB alone. Unfortunately, not all people have the room or or just unable to have more than one box.

                  #9255
                  phillyblues
                  Participant

                    I finally have bluebirds around the yard but a wren has been trying to fill up every box in my yard. Very frustrating. I keep taking the sticks out hoping it will give up. I hope not to find eggs laid in there like sparrows will eventually do on the bare floor.

                    #9258
                    Carol – Mid-Mo.
                    Participant

                      Keep taking out those sticks, Philyblues, they should give up eventually. I have never heard of HOSP or any other bird laying eggs on the bare floor – interesting.

                      #9269
                      blue diamonds
                      Participant

                        I agree with MO Carol…….keep taking those wren sticks out. They are just so sneaky and quick to slip into a nest and ruin all the eggs.

                        Phillyblues, I have found bird eggs laying on the bare floor of a box before too. Crazy.

                        TN Carol….it’s still early, I think you will get another nesting of bluebirds.

                        Good luck,
                        Judy – Michigan

                        #9273
                        NickNackHummer
                        Participant

                          Blue Diamonds, I hope you’re right that I’ll get another nesting of bluebirds. The HOWR left for a while, but I saw it going in the box today. Where was your picture taken with the tiger cub? It’s beautiful.

                          Carol
                          East Tennessee

                          #9274
                          phillyblues
                          Participant

                            When I used to only do passive HOSP control the sparrows would often just lay the eggs no matter what on a bare floor. Once I tossed the eggs they gave up. Active control is the way to go for sure. Took me a lot of lessons to learn that.

                            #9277
                            blue diamonds
                            Participant

                              TN Carol….the tiger cub picture was taken in Los Cabo, Mexico. It was super cute. I thought it would have soft fur, but it was really wiry.

                              Good luck on your 2nd nesting.

                              Judy – Michigan

                              #9278
                              NickNackHummer
                              Participant

                                That would have been so exciting to hold the tiger cub Judy. Interesting that the fur was wiry.

                                Carol
                                East Tennessee

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