It seems like more than a month that the house wrens have moved in and set up shop in my back bluebird box. I’ve had chickadees and bluebirds in this box previously and they never seemed to take so long to fledge their babies.
It’s Simple Math Really
I had read that house wren eggs take up to two weeks to hatch and 16-17 days to fledge from the nest but I think I’ve been spoiled by my bluebirds and chickadees. Even though both of them can have longer fledging times, none of the nests I’ve had in my backyard to date have taken this long to get them out of the nest.
I haven’t been logging this like I should but I pay attention to my mowing schedule. I mow approximately once a week and the house wrens are going on three mowings since they’ve started feeding babies. I can still hear the little ones squawking when the parents bring food so I know they’re still in there.
House Wren Parents Losing Patience
I have noticed the parents doing more buzzing like noises which sounds like scolding to me. I think they’re finally fed up with going in and out of that 200 degree box to feed them-LOL!
I’ll let you know as soon as they’ve all left the nest.
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My House Wrens Are Taking Their Time
My wrens have been building a nest for over a week. Now I don’t see them come back. It’s the first nest in my little straw bird house.
I know they are territorial and will destroy another wrens eggs by pecking at them, if they use their nest. I haven’t seen them un a couple days. Do they take breaks? I haven’t touched their area anc stayed away.
Hi Judi,
The first thing I need to know is if they are house wrens or Carolina wrens. Either one of them may have built a false nest just to discourage other nesters. If you have other wrens or other birds looking to nest there I would just leave the nest alone for a few days to see what happens. Especially if they are house wrens who, as you know, are extremely territorial.
After some time has passed without any return activity, I would just remove the nesting material and see if they come back to build another. Probably not.
Let me know how it goes, will you?
Jeff