Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 7/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have house wrens in a small bird house directly on the back wall of our house.They are mere feet away from where we spend time on our deck.What can I do or not do to make sure these beautiful little singers stay in their home and not flee, as I know that they are preparing,(if not already) to "make a family.)Also, if I hung a bird feeder with seed within the proximity of their home, would they take to it,or is it a bad idea, as it may just attract other birds to the area. One more thing, would they bathe in a bird bath or small fountain if one was handy to them?
Thank-you for taking the time to answer these and others questions...not many people left in the world these days that offer anything for free..
Carrie :)

ANSWER: Do nothing. And they eat insects at this time of year, and will eat suet if they stay there in the winter. I have not seen Wrens in my bird baths.

I am hoping that you have the Carolina Wren or one of the other Wrens and not the very bad House Wren which punctures other bird's eggs and throws babies out of nests. This baddie builds its nest out of sticks, and also fills other nest boxes with sticks to keep other birds out. If the nest is made of grass and dry leaves you have one of the good ones. Feel free to look and you can check often as after eggs are laid it takes a lot to cause them to leave.

I am in touch with many Bluebirders in Canada. Do you have Bluebirds? Bluebird Bob Walshaw.

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QUESTION: Hi again Bob.,
In response to your response..I watched these birds make their nest with small sticks.When I looked in the nest, I also saw grasses,so I'm not sure if I have the "baddies."I am also not sure exactly what type of Wrens I have, as I live in Southern Ontario,Canada.Just that they are small and light brown.I do not have any other nesting boxes on my property that they could invade. Well actually, there is an old one that the previous owners put on the side of our garden shed, but in the eight years that I have lived here, I haven't been anything inhabit it but bees!Do the "baddies" also invade regular nests in trees or just boxes, as I will keep my eyes open for signs. This is also the first time in 8 yrs. that I can recall Wrens on my property.It's actually funny how they ended up in this little house. My husband bought me this house 2 yrs. ago.I hung it in our evergreen trees for a year last yr., and nothing. This year, I just stuck it up on our house light at our back door temporarily until I decided where I wanted to hang it, and then suddenly...I had house guests within a month. How long after they build their nest do they usually lay their eggs? And I've never seen Bluebirds on my property. I've seen the odd Bluejay, but not the same thing I assume?
Enjoying our chat...Carrie

Answer
I am not sure what birds that you have there so far away. The bad House Wrens here use sticks only, some almost as big as a pencil. The male will build several nests and the female will make a tunnel into the back of one and lay eggs. Please get an inexpensive bird field handbook and use field glasses to see what you have. Many people have Bluebirds but don't see them as they eat insects and berries and don't come to feeders. Canada has a big Bluebird population with more than 10,000 Bluebird houses (yes, that number is right) in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, etc. If you are interested send me your mailing address and I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book so you can put up some Bluebird houses. You may also have Black Capped Chickadees, Tufted titmice and other birds in them. Bob Walshaw PS - use my email address to contact me - it is easier.