Wrens have got to be one of the cutest little birds. They also love to hang around people. Join us as we explore the world of these friendly little birds.
Carolina wren
House wren
Wrens Are Very Curious Birds
Step outside and stay awhile
Step outside and stay awhile
I was pretty sure it was a wren building an unusual nest in the lower cubby of our mailbox, but thanks to this podcast, now I know that it is in fact a Carolina Wren! How cool! 🙂 Do you have any suggestions as to what kind of binoculars to get for bird watching, so that I can view these guys and our friends at the feeders better? (I’m like Bill… think thrifty and frugal please.) Thanks!
Bill always directs people looking for binoculars to Eagle Optics. They have great customer service and will help you find a good pair of binoculars in your price range.
Hi! I’m from NJ. This winter, a wren (not sure yet what type) has been coming into our garage through the cat door. Most of the time, his mate also comes into the garage for the night. They generally leave the following morning, after they have sung their morning song (and while we head out to work/school in the morning). Last week one of the pair flew into the house. He panicked a little and banged into the large living room window. He got up before we could catch him and flew upstairs. I trapped him in the bathroom, removed the window screen and he flew out the window. He showed no hesitation seeming to immediately understand that this was the way out. 1 week later, I come home and he was in the garage, it almost seems like he was waiting for someone to come home. I was surprised, because it was a lovely and unusually warm (68) winter day. I thought he flew out, but was surprised to discover that he waited for me to open the house door… And followed me into the house. This time he stayed closer to the garage exit, he did come into the kitchen, but followed me back to the door that leads to the garage. I opened the door and he flew out! This bird seem very curious and pretty smart!
Should we encourage his behavior and provide him a house in the garage? Or perhaps, Just outside the garage? With spring approaching, I’m wondering if he is looking for a new and (warmer) place to nest?
Your thoughts?
I have a couple of wrens that love to fly into our garage when the doors are open. I just leave the door open and they fly out after a few minutes. I am not sure if they want to nest but I do not encourage them because I do not want them to get trapped. I think providing something outside the garage is a great idea. We have a wreath by the garage door that they have used. They are very curious birds and seem to love hanging around people.
A Wreath is a terrific idea!
Thanks so much!
They will start building a nest extremely quickly in a garage with an open door. And once they lay eggs, I’d keep the garage door open until they leave.
They seem super smart. I have every variety of northeast backyard bird on my feeder, but the wren, upon seeing me, will leave the feeder to come to the door to get a fresh peanut. They dont even scatter upon opening the door! Lovely birds
They do seem to have us figured out!
hi Bob! – We have a pair of carolina wrens nesting in a plant on the deck now. Eggs hatched maybe a week ago. Is this normal this late in the season? (September in SW OH)
Not sure how common it is but as you discovered if conditions are right they will have eggs this late.
Hello from South Alabama. Do you know if the Carolina Wren plays, flys with other bird’s????
I have never seen them flying with other birds but maybe someone else has. If you have any insight on this let us know!
I have some shelves in my pump house. We recently had a Carolina wren move in on the shelves. My wife told me to put up a camera so we can watch them on my phone or t.v in the house. It is awesome to watch them and little ones grow. We can get within 3 feet or closer to the nest and they seem to be comfortable with us.
What a great idea! Caroline Wrens are very friendly birds and I think they enjoy interacting with us.
Having a rather warm November day, I opened my French doors while cleaning. I also do in the spring. I have an issue with the Carolina wrens flying in my kitchen. They just sit in a chair singing and peeping. I fan a towel and they leave but not willingly. Why do they come in my kitchen? Are they hungry and have seen that is where we have food?
We often have them fly into our garage. In my experience they are roosting or nesting.
Carolina Wrens made a nest in a planter on a shelf on my patio last year, and I had to put up a gate to stop my dogs from getting to that side of the patio until the babies were gone. This year, I caught the Wren in the act of building a nest in my garden boots on the shelf, so I cleaned an old birdhouse, and moved the nesting material from the boot to the birdhouse, and placed the house back on the shelf. The birds seem very content. But now, I have Cardinals building a nest in my rose bush again.
I love wild animals, and I feel a sense of responsibility to play a small part to help keep them alive. Last year, when the Cardinals nested in my rosebush for the first time, I had to prop an umbrella over the rosebush to protect the little bald babies because were not covered during a strong rain. The mom came later to keep them dry and warm. I once had to remove a snake that was just at the opening of a birdhouse. And I had to scare off a hawk who was after a fledgling in my garden—and that hawk wasn’t easy to scare off. I love nature and wild animals, but it’s stressful. Can anybody relate?
Yes- we had Bewick’s wren nest turned over on our front door mat. I don’t know if a raccoon did it, but we had to hang it back upright by the front door. It was in a small bird box. I was as stressed as the mother bird.