I have been watching the House Wren the last few months in
my backyard. The male has been bringing nest materials to all the birdhouses
hoping to entice a female to choose one out of the dozen birdhouses that I have
hung up in my yard. As you can see in the blog I posted on "Easter 2021", the
male was busy putting nest materials in at least six different birdhouses.
Success for the male! A female has chosen "Mr. Cricket's birdhouse" and now has
nestlings in it.
Noticing activity on May 10: A wren was staying close to
the Cricket birdhouse and going in and staying for a long time. On May 11, I
took photos of one of the wrens bringing in fluff for Mr. Cricket's birdhouse.
Next day, May 12, I got shots of them bringing prey to the nest box. Wow, we now
have evidence that there are hatchlings in Mr. Cricket's house!
Lots of prey delivery on May 13, 14, 15 (then I took a few days
off from watching). Back to birdwatching on May 19 and the activity had become more
urgent and frequent around the birdhouse. On May 20 I walked by the Crickets
birdhouse and heard peeps! They were soft but definitely hatchlings
peeping!
Went and grabbed my camera and got lots of prey delivery
shots! With the nestlings peeping, and all the prey delivery activity, they also
attract birds that may be dangerous to the wrens. I got a shot of a Mockingbird
only 5 feet away from the nest box and crows coming and landing in the nest
tree. That is why the birdhouse that they chose is a good one. The hole is only
big enough for the wren and it's also about 6 inches deep from the opening. It is
hung in the shade of a firewheel tree about 10 ft up from the ground and faces
south. Has nice little vents on the underside of the roof and it is totally
adorable to look at!
Now the peeping from the nest box is really a lot louder
and there is urgency in the air. On May 21, 22, and 23, the parents are on a
constant run to get prey and bring it to the nest. I have lots of shots of
different types of prey delivered to the nestlings. I also got a few shots of the
wrens taking the poop sacks out of the nest. Wow, this has been a very exciting
month with watching the Hummingbirds and now the House Wrens and their prey
delivery! Next will be "fledge watch" for these wonderful House
Wren nestlings. House Wrens fledge on average 12 to 18 days after hatching.
If I count the days from the first day I saw prey delivery, then May 23 will be
12th day!
Here are some photos of the wren parents delivering prey
to the new hatchlings. It is so fascinating to me to see all the different types
of insects that they bring to the nest! Trying to ID the male and the female is
very difficult. I have studied the tail photos to determine which may be the mom
and dad. It is mostly a guess but both mom and dad appeared to be excellent
providers for the nestlings. I am amazed at the amount of food that is brought
in for the nestlings. Photos start at 5-10-21 and this post ends on 5-20-21 the
day I heard the nestlings peeping!
Please check back to see what happens next!
Have a great week everyone!
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