You are here:

Birding/house wrens - absolute age of species?

Advertisement

Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/27/2010


Question
I recall reading somewhere that the common loon has changed little for about sixty million years in terms of evolutionary development ( cranked wing for example ), and was wondering if you could tell me how far back the house wren goes without having changed in any radical way...?

they are such wonderful little creatures and bring such joy when they sing and play in the back yard I was hoping to learn a little more about them.

Answer
To be honest I know nothing about their evolutionary history. However as Bluebirder and lover of small cavity nesters (I have a 5 mile 100 box Bluebird trail) I must tell you that they are a terrible bird. The male builds dummy nests of sticks and blocks many nesting sites, and both of the pair puncture eggs and throw other bird's babies out of nests. I love the Carolina Wren, but the House Wren is a baddie.  

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.