Nest Boxes: Wrens

Wrens are creative nesters, who will nest in plant pots and empty coconut shells. What is important to a wren is the availability of insects. Lots of food and no nearby birds make for a happy wren. Intensely competitive for food, a wren will puncture holes in the eggs of other birds (including other wrens) nesting nearby.

Wrens are also choosy about the size of the nest box’s entrance hole. They require a hole large enough for them to get in and out of. However, the hole has to be small enough for no other bird to use. Because they bring in long twigs, wrens requite a wide hole, therefore the entrance should be wide but narrow.

For an enclosed nest box: Place hanging 5 to 10 feet (1.5 m to 3m) near trees.
Entrance hole size: 1 1/8 inches (30 mm).
Height to the hole from base: 7 inches (180 mm)
Base: 4 inches by 4 inches (100 x 100 mm)

Sources:
Burton, Robert, “North American Birdfeeder Handbook”, Dorling Kindersly, New York, 1995.

Harrison, George and Kit, “America’s Favorite Backyard Birds”, Fireside, New York, 1983.

Bromley, Peter T. and Aelred D. Geis, Feeding Wild Birds, Publication Number 420-006, Virginia Cooperative Extension, April, 1998, 20 Sept. 2008

Evans, Keith, Wasatch Audubon Society: Birding 101: Nest Boxes, 20 Oct. 2008