OMG! House Wren checking out our birdhouses!

I was outside taking pics of some of our irises and a Wren was checking our birdhouses...just peeking in...
Hmmmm...
Being in the yard, I could have discouraged this Wren from coming back (hope not) but i was also thinking that if this is a female checking to see if a male built some nests for her to check out, the houses are empty...darn! I hope it's a male and he's looking for nesting materials to get started building (crossing fingers). this will be the 1st time we had House Wrens in our yard in the Spring, so I don't know their habits other than knowing the males come 1st to build the nests and he'll make a few for the female to pick out her fav...
So I need help ya'll...
I only have 3 pics...and they aren't all that clear. I had to "think fast" and take them...no time for focusing! Is this a male or female folks? Do you think it will come back, or did I just blow an oppurtunity?

Another pic...

And here's a close-up...
I pray it's a male checking this out and not a female seeing there is no nest and moving on...oh my! It's been about 20-25 minutes now and no return :(


This message was edited May 17, 2010 12:16 PM

This message was edited May 17, 2010 12:29 PM

Hi Susan, No real way to tell if they'll come back. They use sticks to build their nest so look for them to bring that to a nest box.

No visible differences between male & female in House Wren

Resin

Hello Pelle and Resin,

Thanks for the info...
I'm bumming...no sign of seeing it again. I guess it was a female looking for a nest made for her queenship. Well, at least "a" Wren checked the houses out...and I got pics too so DH doesn't think I'm hallucinating...LOL :)

This message was edited May 17, 2010 1:35 PM

This message was edited May 17, 2010 1:35 PM

Yah, the male house wren builds the nest then hopes for a female. Last year I had a late builder but by then, no girls to take him up on a lovely nest. They often make dummy nests in surrounding boxes.

Maybe the bird will return. Wishing you luck, the house looks cute and welcoming. Crossing my fingers for you.

Mrs_Ed,

Adorable pic with a sad story....Oh My! Poor thing...
When would "too late" for male to nest build be...your's last year for example? I'm new to this nest building stuff. I've read a lot of "general" stuff on birds but I'm just leaning the specifics now. I'm familiar with Goldfinches...they build their nests starting in mid-July and through August. I know a lot about Robins now. And in most species the male arrives earlier than the female either to build the nest and or get the territory. I knew about male Wrens wanting to build more than one nest to attract a female...which is why i put up a 2nd Wren house about 20' from the other one...kinda side by side.
About when should I give up hope for a male building a nest for a female this Spring?

Thanks ducbucin :)

This message was edited May 17, 2010 1:47 PM

Oh I don't know that it was such a sad story as he dethroned my chickadees, who appear to be sterile. Check out the link: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1006514/


I don't know when the latest is for them to lay eggs, but they arrive here May 1 and usually are gone by Sept. 1 (or at least silent). This guy did the dethroning in June.

Mrs_Ed,
How are your Dees doing this year?

Well, an update on the situation here. About 2 hours later yesterday, I assume it's a female, peeked her head in all 3 of our birdhouses...again. Darn! No male made a nest for her and she probably moved on. I didn't see her at all this morning...

My Dees appear to be infertile. The nest has been built for a long time and is still attended to every day, but no eggs.

Oh My! I was hoping last year might be just a fluke...sorry to hear that...
Poor things :(

Well they seem happy enough! Probably don't suffer the same angst at getting pregnant that humans do. LOL.

HA! Too Funny...LOL

Susan you took a great shot. I moved from my old home to live in the woods of northern Michigan. Now I have new favorites, which my current fav is the veery. His song is like a flute off in the distance. Love Love Love his song. I had wrens every year. Some years they would use the houses and other times if the wife like one of his other set ups better. He has made a nest in a wood pile at the next door neighbors house. So even if they don't use your houses they may still be in the area just listen for them. I can remember when I would hear them for the first time each year I would do a happy dance and walk around with a smile on my face all day long... Let us know if they stay around in your area.

Amy

Not sure… I think mine might have been a young one, or maybe he had lost his mate. He didn't start making the nest until about 6 weeks after he got there, so I thought maybe he was "new at it."

Practicing and sharpening his skills...LOL

For those of you who are familiar with Carolina Wrens. I've a small make-shift greenhouse behind my garage. These wrens like to venture into this small gh, in the past I had Pheobes and Hummingbird that came in the green house, got exhausted and dehydrated before I and hubby found them and set them free. My question is, are the wrens likely looking for a 'safe/cool' place to build nests? It's getting hot early this year, temp. above 90'ish outdoor.

LilyLove: Carolina Wrens are quite curious. They get in our garage all the time. I have to open doors and the window to help them get back out, What are they looking for? Who knows. Probably a place to nest. Carolina Wrens nest in quite unusual places: shoes left outside, in bushes, and I usually have one nest in one of my hanging baskets. Their nest is very interesting. It's kind of like an igloo.
I much prefer the Carolina Wrens over the House Wrens. The Carolina Wrens are cuter, and I think their sound is much more pleasant. House Wrens are well, down right noisy! House wrens can be hostile to other birds, especially bluebirds. They are capable of going into the bb nest and pecking a hole in the eggs and killing the babies. I have both Carolina Wrens and House Wrens. So far, so good. The House Wrens have left the bb alone.
My little bb fledgings are coming to my meal worm feeder on their own now.

We have Phoebes nesting in our barn, Unfortunately we also have woodchucks.

Thanks birder17 for your reply. Hiya IrisMa.

My little wren down the road got himself a girl!!

Congratulations guys!!!