Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Nesting Site Battle: Phoebe versus Wren

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As I noted in my 2018 Kickoff post, the Phoebes claimed the platform I call “Phoebe Place”.  The Carolina Wrens are generally the first to begin nest-building — and have taken over Phoebe Place in the past.  Again this year, Mr. Wren arrived early to throw down pine straw to mark the platform.  The Phoebes made a feeble attempt to clean up the mess and claim it for themselves, but they are no match for the wren’s construction speed.   When a Nesting Site Battle ensued, the Wren was undaunted.  I decided to assist the Phoebes in their claim by removing the material the Wrens scattered on the platform.

The Neatness Factor

My reason for assisting the Phoebes was entirely selfish — the Phoebes are MESSY.  In addition to slinging mud everywhere, the Phoebes are not particular about pooping in the area of their nest.  Phoebe Place overhangs a part of the property I don’t frequent — so I don’t care about their mess.  Besides, their Plan B is often above my front door and I’m committed to stopping future construction in that location!  The Wrens, by contrast, are very neat — just grasses and leaves and NO poop left behind.  They have my permission to nest anywhere (except Phoebe Place) on this property — which is good, because they do!  In fact, in my next post, I’ll share the story of the home the Wrens moved on to.

Nesting Site Battle Unfolds

I am captivated by the battles between the various bird species.  As we’ve seen with the White-breasted Nuthatch (aka Napoleon) and the Ruby-crowned Kinglet (aka Chihuahua), the little guys are tenacious.  The Carolina Wrens are no exception and you’ll see Mr. Wren stand his ground in the video.  Well, okay, he crouches — but he doesn’t run away.

Male Bluebird Does Battle With His Reflection

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During nesting season, the Bluebirds are very territorial.  I've read that Eastern Bluebird nest boxes need to be at least 300 feet apart and my Mr. Bluebird checks every box on the property to ensure his territory is secure!  Sadly, he can't distinguish between an actual intruder and his own reflection.  In between checking all the houses on the property, he's hard at work attacking EVERY reflective surface on the property.  In the images, below, Mr. Bluebird chases his reflection in the windows at the front of my house in the morning -- and at the back of my house in the afternoon.  My den sits at the back of the house, so I listen to "clunk, clunk, clunk" all afternoon as the reflective intruder is attacked.

Mr. Bluebird has been attacking his reflection in the windows of this house for years.  There are times I contemplate whether he is actually following me around the house -- knocking on the windows to let me know when he is out of mealworms.  I wouldn't be surprised!

This year, however, Mr. Bluebird has taken to also attacking his reflection in the glass of the video camera located in front of the nesting box he and his mate have chosen.  I feel for him as he has been after that Bluebird in the camera ALL DAY LONG for weeks.