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Just had a pair of house wrens checking out the bluebird nestbox. Never had this problem before. I haven’t seen them here in the summer. They stopped at the entrance and didn’t go in. I will keep a close watch on this. Any advice if this becomes a bluebird problem?
Lubricator
There’s nothing legally that you can do to house wrens because they are native birds. Or wait…maybe you meant house sparrows? I’m not sure if it is normal to see house wren activity at this time but I may be wrong because I don’t have many here. We will give you pointers on trying to avoid them but that’s about all you can do, legally.
Tammy
The pair are definitely house wrens. Their distinctive chirp lets me know when they arrive. Did a little research on the web but didn’t find anything very helpful. Hope they’re gone by spring.
Lubricator
I hope they are gone by TODAY. I can’t stand those things! Let’s see what happens in the spring if they don’t move on. If they stay, you MIGHT get the first nesting cycle in without too much trouble.
Gin
Atlanta, GAThanks for you comment. One house wren comes to feed daily. It doesn’t check the nest box. The pair aren’t visiting lately. I too hope they aren’t here in the spring. I’m in Mobile, Alabama.
Lubricator
Positively house wren, Gin. No white stripe and it has a longer curved beak. Heard its chirp too. Checked my book “Birds of Alabama”. Only one comes to the feeders and does not check out the nest box. Brazen little devil. Thanks again for your comment.
Lubricator
Took a hard look at the wren this morning. Noticed the white eye stripe. You are probably right Gin…..its a Carolina wren.
Are they as much a danger to bluebirds as the house wren?Lubricator
They are zero danger! If you want to build them a box they will adore check this page: http://nestboxbuilder.com/nestbox-plans-for-bluebirds.html#slotboxes It’s at the top of the page.
Fred built one for me and they use it every year. You have to watch it though. If a house wren gets interested they will try to win it.
Gin
Atlanta, GAThanks for your comments, Gin. I got a very good look at the Carolina wren at the feeder this morning. So glad it’s not a house wren. I’m afraid to put up another box. So far the one I put up is good for bluebirds. I don’t have any birds here disturbing them in any way. Right now all the birds are compatible. They move when the blue jay arrives and return when it leaves.
Lubricator
Gin, is here a reason a Carolina wrens would prefer that box that Fred built you over a regular bluebird type slot box? I have one visiting occasionally but never nesting.
Tammy
They do seem to like the big opening, Tammy, so they might like the slot you have if you relocate it. The birds are a little picky about the location and don’t want it out in the wide open spaces. A regular slot box is deeper than the CAWR box I have so you might want to take that into consideration also.
Gin
Atlanta, GA
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