House Wrens (Series ~ Take 1)
We are lucky to have House Wrens every year in our backyard. This year the pair built a nest in each of two nesting boxes that I hung in different locations. We also had a fairly large contingency of House Sparrows that harassed the little wrens, attempting daily to invade the nesting boxes. Fortunately, the openings of the nesting boxes are too small, so the sparrows didn't succeed in driving the wrens away. They finally settled into the nesting box hanging under a large pine tree and the activity of the wren pair is at a frenzied pace, as they both bring assorted insects to feed their brood and take out the fecal sacs to keep the nest clean. The nestlings are not yet visible but may fledge any day now!
A few things to know about House Wrens: They exhibit site fidelity (meaning if they are successful at rearing young, they return to the same location every year). This is true of some other birds as well. The male, House Wren arrives first in the spring, stakes out his territory, then begins to build the nest, and sings to attract the female. Once she accepts the location he selected, they mate, and she lays her eggs, one a day until she has a clutch of 2-8 eggs. The male feeds her while she is on the nest, although she may leave for brief periods. When the eggs hatch, both wrens feed and care for the young, and when the nestlings are fledged, they will continue to care for them for several more weeks. They will often raise a second or third brood.
*Please note that this was a behavioral study all shot through our window, so that the birds would not be disturbed. There is no editing except to sharpen some of the shots and to crop.
House Wrens (Series ~ Take 1)
We are lucky to have House Wrens every year in our backyard. This year the pair built a nest in each of two nesting boxes that I hung in different locations. We also had a fairly large contingency of House Sparrows that harassed the little wrens, attempting daily to invade the nesting boxes. Fortunately, the openings of the nesting boxes are too small, so the sparrows didn't succeed in driving the wrens away. They finally settled into the nesting box hanging under a large pine tree and the activity of the wren pair is at a frenzied pace, as they both bring assorted insects to feed their brood and take out the fecal sacs to keep the nest clean. The nestlings are not yet visible but may fledge any day now!
A few things to know about House Wrens: They exhibit site fidelity (meaning if they are successful at rearing young, they return to the same location every year). This is true of some other birds as well. The male, House Wren arrives first in the spring, stakes out his territory, then begins to build the nest, and sings to attract the female. Once she accepts the location he selected, they mate, and she lays her eggs, one a day until she has a clutch of 2-8 eggs. The male feeds her while she is on the nest, although she may leave for brief periods. When the eggs hatch, both wrens feed and care for the young, and when the nestlings are fledged, they will continue to care for them for several more weeks. They will often raise a second or third brood.
*Please note that this was a behavioral study all shot through our window, so that the birds would not be disturbed. There is no editing except to sharpen some of the shots and to crop.