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IN THIS ISSUE:

• New At The Nest
• Current Clearance Items
• Bird Profile: Wrens
• The BestNest.com Giveaway Winner is ...
• Free Merchandise to be Awarded Every Issue

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Wrens are one of the most commonly seen birds in backyards throughout North America. Easily identified by their small size, brown coloring, and slender bills, wrens are very active and territorial. What makes the wren so special? Let's take a look:

There are nine types of wrens in North America: Sedge, Marsh, House, Winter, Carolina, Bewick's, Rock, Canyon, and Cactus. Together they cover nearly all of North America in their range. All species tend to migrate during the year, but the degree of migration varies greatly between birds. Wrens are typically solitary birds outside of their breeding season, so even wrens of the same species may have distinctly different migration patterns. Because of this, some people are fortunate enough to see wrens year round in their backyard.

The eastern half of North America will see House, Winter, and Carolina wrens. Occasionally, the warmer areas of the east will see Marsh and Sedge Wrens. The western half of North America is home to Bewick's, Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Marsh, and Sedge wrens. Also, it is not unusual to see some overlapping of species; harsh winters and summers can force some birds to areas outside of their normal range. All wrens have a brownish coloring; however, you will notice that each species has its own unique streaks and spots that allow it to blend in with its geographical surroundings. Both the males and females look alike, so the only consistent way to identify the sex of the bird is to closely watch its behavior.

One peculiar trait of wrens is their ability (and choice) to build their nests in some fairly unusual places, including discarded cans, pockets of clothing hung outdoors, hats, boots, flower pots and drainpipes. Nest building is an important part of the mating process of wrens. Males will have a small territory where they will build several partially constructed "dummy" nests that they will actively protect until a female choses one. After deciding upon a nest, the female will finish the nest construction and eventually lay eggs in it. Though nesting materials vary from region to region, there are many similarities between the nests of the different species. The base will be a firm mixture of twigs or roots, leaves, and grasses. The inside will be lined with softer materials, including grasses, feathers, and even bits of cloth. Wrens are cavity nesters and will readily use man-made wren houses. In fact, House wrens received their name from their affinity toward building nests either on or near human housing. Adding one or more wrens houses to your backyard is sure to generate interest from wrens in your area.

The diet of a wren is primarily comprised of insects and spiders, though many will eat berries, suet, and occasionally seed. If you are interested in feeding wrens, a combination of a suet feeder and a fruit feeder will often be the best option. It is also important to provide a fresh source of water for wrens. Adding a bird bath is a great way to attract wrens to your backyard. An added bonus for attracting wrens is a reduction in the insect population. Gardeners will appreciate the wren's appetite for insects that are harmful to their plants.

If you are in need of a wren house, suet or fruit feeder, we have a wide selection available at www.bestnest.com. We also offer suet and several informative books, such as the Stokes' Guide to Bird Behavior Volume 1. If you would like more personal assistance, please email us at [email protected] or call 877-369-5446.

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