Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Carolina Wren

Jack-in-the-Box Meet Wren-in-the-Box

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The Carolina Wrens, having been evicted from Phoebe Place, hopped right on to a new nest site.  As many of you have no doubt discovered, Wrens are creative nesters.  Jack-in-the-Box ... meet ... Wren-in-the-Box!

 

Wren in the Box

Learning From Past Mistakes

The bamboo box was previously located on the ground level of my house ... sitting a couple feet off the ground on a small table.  One afternoon, I noticed a Wren emerge from the box.  Further investigation revealed a nest full of eggs.  I just can't help who I am!!  There is no way that nest was safe from snake predation, so .... the box got moved a few feet and mounted high up on a pole with a predator guard.   Momma Wren was back in the nest in no time and I happily watched the nestlings become fledglings.  THEN -- I relocated the box to the terrace on the second floor of this house.  Let me just be clear.  If snake predation is a threat on this terrace, then I am packing up the bamboo box AND everything else I own.  Relocation will swiftly follow.

I Don't Hate Snakes

Since I've made several unpleasant remarks about snakes, I think it merits pointing out that I welcome their presence on this property -- just as I welcome raccoons, flying squirrels and other wild creatures known to prey on nesting birds.  I simply wish they would not eat MY nesting birds ... and I have ZERO desire to hang out with them on my terrace.  Red wine makes such a mess when it gets spilled.

Let's Go Back to Thinking About Wrens!

As with all construction, there are challenges.  One particular piece of pine straw (apparently the perfect piece for the nest) was giving Mr. Wren a tough time.  Enjoy the video footage -- shown at double-speed.

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.