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Birding/wren predators?
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Question
QUESTION: I had a joyful wren living in a, well, wren box(!) on top of the fence in shrubs. For a little thing, it sang up a storm, was very active and present. A couple days ago I found it lying dead with a blood spot on its side. Who killed my wren? Why? I'm sad to lose it. I live in the country. There are crows and hawks around. Do you think someone stole its box?
ANSWER: Most Wren predators would have eaten the Wren. Is the box missing? If so, that sounds like vandalism.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: A couple days later I found that the wren box was on the ground. Vandalism?? By whom? I don't think it was a human.
That is a bit of a mystery. If the box was well attached only a raccoon would have been strong enough to have knocked it down. And if it had caught the wren it would have eaten it. Just speculation, but if the wren was trying to defend the box the raccoon might have swiped a paw at it and knocked it down without realizing that it had hit it. Some things in nature we are unable to sort out. Bluebird Bob Walshaw.
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Answers by Expert:
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
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