Intrigued by Carolina Wrens nesting in your yard, but facing some challenges? This post tackles the 22 most common questions homeowners face, drawing on real-life experiences and expert advice. Dive right in, or use the table of contents below to jump to specific questions.
- MOVING A CAROLINA WREN NEST TO ANOTHER LOCATION
- Question # 1: Carolina Wrens have built a nest in a hanging flower basket. We frequently walk by and spend time near the flower basket. Should I move the hanging flower basket to avoid disturbing the birds?
- Question # 2: Carolina Wren built a nest in my tractor engine compartment! Mowing season is here. Can I move the nest to another nearby location 3 feet away?
- Question # 3: I must move a Carolina wren nest with chicks to a new location. How do I do that?
- Question # 4: Wren chicks hatched inside our garage, but we have to leave for vacation with the garage door closed. What can we do?
- Question # 5: I accidentally removed a Carolina Wren nest with eggs/babies inside. Can I save the eggs or babies?
- EGGS AND BABY WRENS HAVE DISAPPEARED
- Question # 6: Predation The eggs in the Carolina wren nest have disappeared. What predator did this?
- Question # 7: A wren nest was built in a hanging plant, but I'm worried about my cat. Can I move the plant to a higher or another location?
- Question # 8: I have cowbird chicks in a Carolina wren nest! Can I save the wren chicks?
- Question # 9: Baby Carolina wrens disappeared from the nest – what happened?
- Question # 10: All chicks disappeared from the nest a few days after hatching. What happened?
- Question # 11: Carolina wrens built a nest, laid eggs, and the parents disappeared; the eggs are still in the nest. What happened?
- OBSERVATIONS OF NESTING CAROLINA WRENS
- Question # 12: Will a Carolina Wren cover her eggs with nesting material?
- Question # 13: I saw Carolina Wrens feeding a giant chick! What's going on?
- Question # 14: How do I know when the wren chicks are about to fledge? And How can I witness the moment?
- Question # 15: Carolina Wren chicks hatched, but some eggs remain in the nest. What to do?
- Question # 16: A baby Carolina wren is on the ground after fledging – should I help?
- Question #17: Carolina wren babies thrown from nest – what happened?
- Question # 18: Carolina Wren pair has been sitting on their eggs for several weeks. Is this normal?
- Question # 19: I see the adult wrens bringing food to babies. Sometimes the parents leave the nest with something white in their beak. What could that be?
- DISTURBANCE OF NESTING WRENS
- Question # 20: I discovered a wren nest in a hanging basket! Can I still water the plant?
- Question # 21: My kids are curious about a Carolina Wren nest we found in a hanging sports bag. Is it okay for them to peek occasionally?
- Question # 22: A pair of Carolina Wrens are nesting in my garage. Can I offer them food to help them?
Related: Read about the Nest and Eggs of the Carolina Wren.
MOVING A CAROLINA WREN NEST TO ANOTHER LOCATION
Question # 1: Carolina Wrens have built a nest in a hanging flower basket. We frequently walk by and spend time near the flower basket. Should I move the hanging flower basket to avoid disturbing the birds?
This answer applies to Carolina Wrens nesting between cushions on a porch, in hanging bags, or any other part of the house where people walk by or normally spend time near the nest.
Not at all, it is best to leave the wren nest exactly where it is and continue without altering your routine. If you’re concerned about causing any disturbance, avoid lingering near the nest for extended periods.
Relocating the nest will almost certainly cause the wrens to abandon the eggs. The birds will not recognize the new location as the place where they built the nest.
While you may be concerned about disturbing the nest, Carolina Wrens are surprisingly adaptable when it comes to human activity. They likely chose the location because they felt safe nesting there despite the traffic and activity around the nest.
These birds are intelligent and observant. They’ve been watching your movements and have likely determined your presence isn’t a threat. In fact, their decision to nest near you can be seen as a sign of trust and safety. Snakes, one of the main bird nest raiders, are less likely to venture into porches, hanging plants, and sheds!
Here are some additional tips:
- Minimize sudden movements: Try to avoid any sudden movements or loud noises near the nest, as this could startle the wrens.
- Enjoy the sounds: The chirping you hear from the nest is a good sign – it means the chicks are developing healthily.
- Incubation and feeding of the young: Your presence and normal activities near the nest shouldn’t disrupt this cycle, especially if you do not linger near the nest for extended periods of time.
Question # 2: Carolina Wren built a nest in my tractor engine compartment! Mowing season is here. Can I move the nest to another nearby location 3 feet away?
This answer applies to wrens nesting under the hood of parked cars, yard equipment, and similar locations. It covers nests containing both eggs and baby wrens.
Unfortunately, moving the nest with eggs will almost certainly cause the parents to abandon them. The birds rely on visual cues and markers they have become very familiar with to locate the nest. Any relocation disrupts what they perceive as the nest location, and they may not recognize the new location.
If the nest has chicks and you must move or use the mower or vehicle
When the nest has already chicks, moving the nest is more likely to succeed. However, chicks must be at least a week to 10 days old when they are able to produce calls the parents can hear.
Move the nest to a nearby safe location. Here, the chicks’ calling will alert the parents about their location and the parents are likely to continue feeding their chicks. This recommendation has worked in the past.
Alternatively:
- Delay Mowing or moving the car: If possible, consider delaying mowing (using the tractor or vehicle) until the chicks have fledged (see information below).
- A hybrid solution: Move the nest to a safe place, temporarily, use the mower or car, and park it back in the same position. Then put the nest back in the very same location keeping the orientation of the nest entrance in the same direction as it was before. The time must be short e.g., the time it would take to drop your kids at school and back or mowing a backyard.
Once the chicks have fledged:
- You can safely remove the nest material from the tractor or vehicle.
- Carolina Wrens often return to previous nesting sites. Consider preventive measures like blocking potential nesting spots in the engine compartment with wire mesh or deterrents during the off-season.
- Humanely remove the nest (last resort): If delaying using the mower or car isn’t an option, you may need to remove the nest. This is a last resort, as it will disrupt the wren’s breeding cycle.
Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center and explain the situation asking if they can raise the chicks. You may want to offer a small donation.
Here’s what you can do if you must remove the nest:
- Remove before hatching: It’s best to remove the nest as soon as possible, before the eggs hatch.
- Offer alternative nesting sites: To encourage wrens to nest elsewhere next year, consider putting up wren houses in suitable locations around your yard.
Question # 3: I must move a Carolina wren nest with chicks to a new location. How do I do that?
Although not recommended, I understand that all other options are not feasible (see above). Here’s what you can do:
Fledging age is key: Carolina wren chicks typically fledge 10-16 days after hatching. At 12 days old, they’re likely close to fledging or may have already started making short flights.
Here’s how to move the chicks (if necessary):
- Find a safe, close location: Locate a new spot for the nest that’s as close as possible to the original location (ideally within 10-15 feet). It should be sheltered from rain and sun and free from predators like cats.
- Prepare the new location: Create a platform or structure that will secure the nest in the new location.
- Move the chicks: On the day of your trip, gently block the entrance hole with a piece of fabric, grab the entire nest with the chicks inside, and place them in the new location (maintain the fabric in the entrance for a few more minutes).
- Reunite chicks and parents: Remove the cloth and leave the area quickly. The parents should be able to find the chicks when they start calling and continue feeding them.
Important considerations:
- Cat-free environment: The new location should be free from cats or other predators.
Question # 4: Wren chicks hatched inside our garage, but we have to leave for vacation with the garage door closed. What can we do?
This presents a difficult situation. Closing the garage for only a few days would be detrimental to the chick’s survival.
Here are some options, though none are perfect:
- Can someone check on the nest? If possible, see if a trusted friend or neighbor can open and close the garage daily.
- Consider delaying your trip: If feasible, delaying your trip by a week until the chicks have fledged would be the safest option for the wrens.
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center: Explain the situation and ask if they can raise the chicks. You may want to offer a small donation.
Close the garage after confirming parents are out. Don’t risk accidentally trapping them inside.
- Consider taking the nest outside (See question # 2 above):
Question # 5: I accidentally removed a Carolina Wren nest with eggs/babies inside. Can I save the eggs or babies?
Accidental removal or disturbance of wren nests happen all the time. Folks did not know there was a nest there prior to moving the structure that held the nest.
The quick solution is to recreate the structure holding the nest just like it was before and place the nest back. It is very important to have the nest entrance hole facing out and unblocked to allow the parents to access the interior chamber.
Oftentimes some eggs are crushed during the accident. Place the eggs that did not break back in the nest. Using a table spoon, gently pick them up and return them to the nest.
How to prevent accidents
- Wren nesting locations: Carolina wrens are known to nest in unusual places. Be sure to check grills, planters, and other potential nesting spots before using them in the spring and summer.
EGGS AND BABY WRENS HAVE DISAPPEARED
Baby Carolina Wrens.
Question # 6: Predation The eggs in the Carolina wren nest have disappeared. What predator did this?
Unfortunately, it seems a predator has found the nest. As for identifying the predator, there are several possibilities:
Snakes: If the nest appears intact but the eggs or babies are missing, it’s likely that a snake is responsible.
Squirrels, Raccoons, and Opossums: Squirrels often leave widened entrance holes when raiding wren nests. Raccoons and opossums typically dismantle the nest to access the eggs and babies.
Other bird predators include crows and blue jays, but they are less commonly found near wren nests and are therefore less likely to prey on them.
Question # 7: A wren nest was built in a hanging plant, but I’m worried about my cat. Can I move the plant to a higher or another location?
Moving the plant with the nest is not recommended. As mentioned previously, wrens rely on visual and scent cues to locate their nest, and any relocation can lead to abandonment.
Here’s how to address the cat situation:
- Keep cat indoors: If possible, the most effective solution is to keep your cat indoors during the nesting period (around 4-6 weeks). This provides the safest environment for the wren chicks.
- Supervised outdoor time: If keeping your cat indoors isn’t feasible, ensure close supervision whenever it’s outside. Bring the cat back in after a controlled walk or playtime.
Additional Considerations:
- Plant relocation after fledging: Once the chicks have fledged (left the nest), you can safely move the hanging plant to a higher or another location if desired.
- Future nesting: If cat access is a recurring concern, you may consider using wire mesh or other deterrents to block the wrens from nesting in the hanging basket during the off-season.
Question # 8: I have cowbird chicks in a Carolina wren nest! Can I save the wren chicks?
Unfortunately, once cowbird chicks have hatched, there’s little you can do to ensure the wren chicks survive. Cowbird chicks are often larger and outcompete wren chicks for food, so intervention at this stage is unlikely to succeed.
However, there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening again next year:
- Monitor wren nests: Keep an eye on wren nests during their egg-laying period (typically spring).
- Remove cowbird eggs: If you see cowbird eggs before the wren lays its own, carefully remove them using a teaspoon.
Question # 9: Baby Carolina wrens disappeared from the nest – what happened?
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason some wren chicks didn’t survive. Here are some possibilities:
- Predation: Nests are vulnerable to predators like snakes, raccoons, squirrels, or cats.
- Accidental fledge: Occasionally, chicks can fledge (leave the nest) prematurely, especially during hot weather.
- Limited food: In harsh environments or when food is scarce, parents may remove chicks from the nest to focus their feeding efforts on the remaining ones, increasing their chance of survival.
Question # 10: All chicks disappeared from the nest a few days after hatching. What happened?
It is most likely that the nest was raided by a predator. Predation is a natural part of the wild bird life cycle and is unrelated to any actions you may or may not have taken.
- How can I prevent predators from getting to the nest?
Here are some strategies to deter predators from accessing your wren nest:
- Baffles: Although Carolina Wrens seldom use nesting boxes placed in open spaces, you can add a predator baffle below the bird house if you have a pair nesting there. This is a metal or plastic collar sheet mounted on the pole that supports the nesting box. It makes it difficult for snakes and other predators to go past the baffle and access the bird house.
There are other types of baffles. Look online under “Predator baffles for bluebirds”. - Eliminate potential snake access to the nest location: It is likely that the wren nest was built in a hanging planter or part of the house that provides access to snakes and other predators.
If possible, remove structures, bushes, or climbing plants that snakes and other predators can use to get to the nest. They are actually quite smart about making sure predators can’t get to the nest, but sometimes this is not enough.
- Baffles: Although Carolina Wrens seldom use nesting boxes placed in open spaces, you can add a predator baffle below the bird house if you have a pair nesting there. This is a metal or plastic collar sheet mounted on the pole that supports the nesting box. It makes it difficult for snakes and other predators to go past the baffle and access the bird house.
Spreading snake deterrents around the nest area isn’t generally recommended (they may be harmful to the birds or ineffective),
Question # 11: Carolina wrens built a nest, laid eggs, and the parents disappeared; the eggs are still in the nest. What happened?
To be completely sure that the parents are not attending the nest, it is a good idea to wait a few more days.
A likely reason for the parents’ abandoning the nest has to do with the disappearance of one member of the nesting pair. Something may have happened to the male or female including having been predated by a hawk, a cat or other predators.
The remaining parent is unlikely to continue incubating the eggs on its own. If they already have chicks, the remaining parent will do its best to continue feeding the babies until and after fledging.
Another reason birds abandon their nest and eggs is that they somehow realized that nesting there entails too much risk and it is not worth investing any effort at such a location.
What you can do:
- If you need to remove the nest, give it a week or so to be confident the nesting attempt was unsuccessful before removing the nest and eggs.
OBSERVATIONS OF NESTING CAROLINA WRENS
Question # 12: Will a Carolina Wren cover her eggs with nesting material?
Yes, Carolina Wrens, like many other birds, typically cover their eggs with some nesting material when they leave the nest for short periods of time. This material helps to insulate the eggs and keep them hidden from predators.
It is important to note that wrens do not always cover their eggs every time they leave the nest. Whether they do it or not may depend on the time they plan to spend out of the nest.
Question # 13: I saw Carolina Wrens feeding a giant chick! What’s going on?
You’ve likely witnessed an example of brood parasitism. The large chick being fed by the Carolina Wrens is most likely a young Brown-headed Cowbird.
Here’s the story:
- Cowbird nest parasitism: Brown-headed Cowbirds are notorious nest parasites. The female cowbird lays her eggs in the nests of other songbirds, like Carolina Wrens, leaving the unsuspecting hosts to raise the chick as their own.
- Competitive Edge: Cowbird chicks are often larger and more aggressive than their foster siblings. They may outcompete them for food, reducing the wrens’ chances of raising their own young.
Question # 14: How do I know when the wren chicks are about to fledge? And How can I witness the moment?
Witnessing wren chicks fledge is a remarkable experience. Here are some tips:
- Signs of fledging: Watch for increased activity and noise coming from the nest. The chicks may flutter their wings or practice short flights from the edge of the nest. This typically happens 12-14 days after hatching.
- Observe using a camera or from a distance: You can install a video camera and watch the action on your computer or cell phone.
Alternatively, you can observe patiently maintaining a distance to avoid stressing the parents. You can use binoculars for a closer look. - The fledging process: Fledging can take several hours, with chicks leaving the nest one at a time. The parents will continue to feed them for a while even after they leave the nest.
When can I remove a Carolina nest from my planter?
Once chicks are gone: You can safely remove the nest after you’re sure the chicks have all fledged and the parents are no longer feeding them near the nest. This usually takes about 2-3 weeks after hatching.
Cleaning the plant: Once the nest is removed, you can clean any debris from the plant and resume your normal watering routine.
Question # 15: Carolina Wren chicks hatched, but some eggs remain in the nest. What to do?
It is better to let nature run its course. The unhatched eggs never developed. They do not cause any problem to the chicks and are eventually crushed by the weight of the growing chicks. The parents may take the shells out of the nest or the growing chicks press the shells to the bottom.
Question # 16: A baby Carolina wren is on the ground after fledging – should I help?
Unless the chick appears injured or is in a dangerous location, it’s best to let nature take its course. The parents will care for it and will continue to feed it as it develops its flying skills.
Young wrens often leave the nest before they can fly well. They typically flutter their wings and make short flights as the parents continue to feed them for a couple of weeks.
Here’s what you can do:
- Monitor the situation: Baby wrens will seek refuge in nearby bushes and won’t remain in open spaces for very long. Keep an eye on the chick to make sure it’s not in immediate danger (e.g., from a cat or dog).
- Minimize disturbance: Avoid lingering near the chick or the parents, as this can stress them.
Question #17: Carolina wren babies thrown from nest – what happened?
Unfortunately, without directly observing the event, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. Here are some possibilities:
One possibility is that a competing Carolina Wren pair found the nest and took the babies out of the nest as a way to claim the territory.
Another possibility is that House Wren found the nest and took the Carolin Wren chicks out of the nest. House wrens are notorious for pecking and breaking the eggs of other birds and attacking unattended chicks in nests of other birds.
House sparrows are known to do this type of action. However, they don’t usually nest at places where Carolina wrens nest and they would not be competing for nesting sites.
In very rare cases, a clumsy parent wren might accidentally knock a chick out of the nest. This is more likely with younger, inexperienced wrens.
Question # 18: Carolina Wren pair has been sitting on their eggs for several weeks. Is this normal?
This situation with the wren’s nest is unusual. Before, assuming that the birds have been incubating for a long time, first determine when they started to incubate the eggs.
A female wren begins laying eggs, typically one per day, with a total clutch size ranging from 4 to 6 eggs. Continuous incubation by the female does not start until the penultimate egg has been laid. It takes about a week after the first egg is laid before consistent incubation of the eggs begins.
Carolina wren eggs typically hatch within 13-14 days. This results in about three weeks since the female wren laid the first egg of the clutch. If birds are still incubating after 4 weeks is unusual. However, the bird will realize that something is wrong with the eggs and eventually stop incubating and move on.
- Possible explanations:
- Infertile eggs
- Embryo development issues: Problems during embryo development could also prevent hatching.
- Illness: In rare cases, the female wren might be ill and unable to properly incubate the eggs.
Question # 19: I see the adult wrens bringing food to babies. Sometimes the parents leave the nest with something white in their beak. What could that be?
That’s a fantastic observation! What you’re witnessing is a remarkable example of wren hygiene! Baby birds, including Carolina wrens, don’t eliminate waste in the nest.
The adults bring food to feed the chicks, and then they will remove the chicks’ waste products in little sacs called fecal sacs. These sacs are typically white or clear with a dark end.
By removing the fecal sacs, the parent wrens keep the nest clean. They’ll carry these sacs away from the nest and dispose of them elsewhere.
DISTURBANCE OF NESTING WRENS
Question # 20: I discovered a wren nest in a hanging basket! Can I still water the plant?
Yes, it’s crucial to keep watering the plant. If the plant wilts and dies, the protective cover for the nest will be lost, exposing it to potential predators. While it’s important to be mindful of disturbing the parents, watering your plant shouldn’t pose a significant problem.
Here are some tips:
- Water carefully: When watering the plant, try to avoid directly soaking the nest. Aim the water at the base of the plant or use a watering can with a gentle spout.
- Applying a small amount of water prevents flooding the content of the nest. You may need to water your plant more often until the babies fledge the nest.
Question # 21: My kids are curious about a Carolina Wren nest we found in a hanging sports bag. Is it okay for them to peek occasionally?
While frequent close observation can stress the parents, occasional peeks from a distance are likely okay, especially since the mother bird nested there and seems tolerant of the activity around the nest. Here are some guidelines:
- Keep a distance: Encourage your kids to observe from a few feet away, avoiding any actions that might startle the birds.
- Quick peeks: Limit their observation time to brief glances.
- Respect the nest: Absolutely no touching of the basket or nest.
- Minimize disturbance: Avoid lingering near the nest or handling the basket unnecessarily.
- Enjoy the experience: Witnessing the bird chick development can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. Consider using binoculars for a closer look without getting too close.
Question # 22: A pair of Carolina Wrens are nesting in my garage. Can I offer them food to help them?
While wrens are primarily insectivores, they may occasionally eat some seeds or suet in winter. However, attracting them to a feeder specifically for the nesting female isn’t necessary. She’ll find the insects she needs in your yard.
- Water: Providing a shallow dish with fresh water in the garage might be helpful, especially during hot weather. Place it in a stable location away from the nest box.
- Nighttime closure: Closing the garage door at night is perfectly fine. The female wren will be safe and focused on incubating her eggs. Just make sure that you open the garage door every day until the babies leave the nest.
- Fledging: Carolina wren chicks typically fledge (leave the nest) around 12-14 days after hatching.
A baby wren jumped off the nest on its own and fell to the ground. Should I catch it and put it back in the nest?
No, leaving the baby bird alone is the best course of action. Carolina wren chicks often fledge before they can fly well. The parents will continue to care for them on the ground until they’re strong enough to fly further.
Parental care: The parents are likely around and can find the chick through calls. They’ll continue to feed it and help it develop flight skills.
Minimize dangers: You can help by minimizing dangers around the chick. If there are cats or other predators in your yard, keep them away from the area.
Some signs that the chick might actually need help:
- Visible injuries: If the chick has obvious injuries or appears weak and lethargic, then it might need assistance.
- No parents around: If you haven’t seen or heard the parents’ calls after several hours, and the chick seems abandoned, you might need to contact a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Final Remarks:
You’ve played an important role in helping Carolina wrens raise their young. Observing these resourceful and determined birds is a rewarding experience. Remember, a few small adjustments to your routine can make a big difference for nesting Carolina wrens in your yard.
Key Takeaways:
- Carolina wrens are adaptable cavity nesters and may choose unique nesting locations in your yard. These include wreaths, hanging baskets, or the engine of parked vehicles!
- While they are generally comfortable with human activity, minimizing disturbance near the nest during incubation and chick rearing is helpful.
- The parents work tirelessly to care for their young, and their dedication to hygiene by removing fecal sacs is a fascinating example of avian parenting.
- Once the chicks leave the nest, they’ll still be dependent on their parents for food for a few days.
- By offering a nesting location, fresh water source (especially in hot weather), and avoiding disturbing the nest, you can create a safe space for Carolina wrens to raise their broods.
Author:
On this page, there is a line of text which begins “a baby wren jumped off nest and fell …”. It is located under Q#22, but, it seems like should be it’s own Q#23.
Hello Bob,
Good catch, Thank you!
Al
Good morning Bob,
My dog caught a wrench chick in my backyard, started playing with it but I stopped after few seconds. The chick is still alive, seems to be in decent shape BUT I had to pick it up with my hands because of the dog. I placed it in a show box with some toilet paper on top of the shrub where my dog found it. Did I do the right thing? Will parents come back to take care of it? What do you think?
Hello Fred,
Yes, you did the right thing. The parents will find it easily as chicks call letting parents to know their location.
It was a good thing that you intervened on time to save the chick.
Al.
I found a Carolina Wren nest on my back porch and have watched them coming and going. I peeked a couple of days ago and there was only one egg and having read that they will lay one each day for several days, I looked again yesterday and there was still only one. I haven’t seen the mother back either for a day or so. Has the nest been abandoned and if so, is there a way to save the one egg (incubate and then feed the baby)? Thanks!
Hello Laurie,
It is likely that the mother is around and it will return to complete the clutch. If she does not, it may be because the pair thought it was not a good place to nest or got spooked by something (may be a cat). I would just let nature run its course and leave the egg there. Incubating it and raise the chick would be very difficult. Also, we don’t know if the eggs is fertile.
Good luck,
Al
We have a carolina wren nest with eggs in a flower pot on the covered porch. We must move the pot for one day due to contractor work that cannot be delayed. The least distance we can move the pot is approximately 6 feet. I am considering doing a night move when the mother is in the nest, draping a piece of fabric around the pot to keep the mother in the nest during the move. After 24 hours we can move the pot back to it’s original location. I have taken photos to be sure it will be positioned correctly. I would appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Hello Wendy,
What a situation! I am assuming that you must move the nest and the scheduled work cannot wait.
I don’t know how far into the incubation periods the eggs are. If they are still laying eggs or just completed the clutch, doing what you propose would not be a problem for the eggs. Eggs can go without incubation for some time.
Assuming that the birds are half way into the incubation period, 24 hrs of no incubation may or may not be a problem, honestly I don’t know.
I am not sure moving the nest at night is a good idea. I asume work will be done during the day. You’d be better off just moving the nest when workers show up and encourage them to do that part of the job as soon as possible so that hou replace the flower pot as soon as possible. They can continue working on the rest of the job and the wrens may come back and resume incubation if the nature of the work being done is not too intrusive. Moving the nest in the morning will ensure that the eggs are incubated all night and will be without incubation for a shorter period of time.
If you move the nest at night, you would need to let the female out of the enclosure at the break of dawn or she will be terrified trapped there trying to get out. This could cause a bigger trauma. I think you should just move the pot in the morning.
The birds may return to the nest if you put it back exactly how you found it. It is difficult to say how the parents will react.
If things fail, I would not worry too much. Bird nests fail all the time. It is early in the season and this pair will rebuild a new nest elsewhere.
Good Luck,
Al
Love your article. So helpful.
A pair of Carolina wrens spent the winter in my garage. They had made a nest in the pocket of an old nail pouch. They would come in at night and we would open the garage door in the morning to let them out. I figured when spring hit they would leave and nest somewhere else. But instead, there are eggs in the pouch now. My question is, once the young fledge, do I clean out the nail pouch right away so they can roost there again if they want to? Is it possible they will have another clutch? Should I leave the nest as is?
It brings me such joy to see them every morning. I want to do things right so they stick around. They pooped a lot in the garage but never hit the cars. Such great tenants.
Thanks,
NJ Wren Landlord
Hello Nancy,
They generally do not use the same nest. These birds seem to like your garage and they find it to be a safe place. They are likely to nest somewhere else in your garage.
Regarding cleaning out the nail pouch, yes, it is safe to clean it out soon after the chicks leave the nest; they do not return to the nest. This may actually encourage the parents to renest there. One reason why they don’t reuse a nest is because of parasites left in the nest. If you clean it out and remove all the old nesting material and poop, they can rebuild there. They can put together a nest in no time.
Hope they come back to nest in your garage!
Good Luck,
Al
Carolina wren nest with recently laid eggs was found in my HVAC unit. I think they did this when it wasn’t running. With a warm spell now happening and the unit on, will the noise and vibration cause them to abandon the eggs?
Hello Donna,
I figure they are nesting in the side wiring. The running of the HVAC unit (noise and vibration) would not bother them. They get used to it really fast and continue incubating and feeding the young unbothered.
Regards,
Al.
Good morning for the runs on our front door wreath. I have apparently been abandoned by the mom there was a bad storm and I brought them into the garage with the nest. Should I feed them or place the box back outside? They are fledgling and are well feathered.
Hello Char,
Please, put them back at the same place. The parents will start feeding them as soon as the chicks begin to call from the nest.
Al.
I have a fifth wheel RV, and the Carolina Wrens have nested in my King pin box again this year. The young are feathered, so I can wait a week for this brood to fledge before removing the connection cord. How do I prevent them from nesting there in the future? Screen across the opening until I’m ready to leave? Throw out the early beginnings of a nest before she lays?
Hi John,
Yes, screening or covering the entire king ping box with a canvas or anything that prevents the birds from accessing the spot they like will work. Start the covering/screening the box before the Spring even before they start prospecting for a site to build a nest. If they beat you to the king pin box, removing the beginnings of a nest/nesting material would work and then screen it until late in the summer or when you use the RV and take it out of that location.
Al.
I have a mealworm feeder and generally have several Carolina wrens feed frequently. Sometimes the wrens don’t come back for a while. Why would they stop coming?
Hello Martha,
They find other sources of food. Generally, birds do not visit feeders as frequently in the summer because there is plenty of other types of food in nature. They may come back when food becomes scarce.
I hope they return soon.
Al.
Wonderful information! Found a Carolina Wren nest in my Mothers Day plant June 4….didn’t touch or go near as Mum in incubation mode!!! The plant is tucked in a safe corner and not watering for fear of wetting the nest! The planter is next to our living room window…so parted the curtain just enough to watch the proceedings! Mum is nesting for hours at a time…haven’t see a male/Dad. Single Mum on her own! Will keep watching for mate!
Again thank you for your overview ….. this is fun!
Hello Marsha,
It is ok to water the plant making sure not to flood the content of the nest. You can put a smaller amount of water more often, the birds won’t mind. If the plant dies, the nest will lose its cover. Although given the location, losing coverage may not be as crucial.
Enjoy them!
Al.
For the past two years we have had Carolina Wren’s nesting our hanging Spider Plant. We keep it watered. They bring material for the nest, then the male continually brings the female food. Then nothing, we check the nest and it is empty. no egg shell remnants at all. I this normal?
Thanks in advance for your response
Michael & Regina
Hello Michael and Regina,
An intact nest with the content missing is usually sign of snake predation. I am not sure if snakes may have access to the spot where the nest was located. There are other reasons such as a rival wren taking the eggs, starling taking the eggs, mice doing so. But this is speculation. Eggs and chicks disappearance from a nest often remains a mystery, but predation is the most likely explanation.
Al.
Thank you, we do have squirrels ; however, though the spider plant they are using for the nest is hanging from our porch ceiling, we have not seen any evidence of the next being altered or dirt or parts of the spider plant on the ground. So it is a mystery.
Question, if the Wrens make their nest in the hanging plant, is there anything we can do to keep this from happening again?
thanks in advance for your response
Michael & Regina
Michael and Regina,
Good question, preventing snakes and squirrels from accessing the hanging plant would be an option. If other wrens or other birds are the culprit, it would be very difficult to prevent them from accessing the planter. It would fall under what normally happens in nature.
I hope it does not happen again.
Al.
Alfredo,
thank you for your response, we do have a question? Our hanging spider plant basket is located in our covered porch. The only varmint are squirrels, we haven’t seen any indication that a squirrel got in, nest is undisturbed and there isn’t any remnant of any eggs shells.
Question- what can we do next year to help the Wrens?
Michael & Regina
Hello Michael and Regina,
Preventing predators from accessing the nest is the best way to protect it. However, sometimes others birds, including those of the same species can harm eggs and nestlings. There is little anyone can do about this but regard the loss of a clutch of eggs as an act of nature. Birds lose their eggs and nestlings at a rate that may seem alarming, but it is normal.
I hope the next nest in you planter is successful.
Al.
Alfredo
Same here, thank you for your quick response
Michael & Regina
I have a wren nest in my hanging basket on my back porch where I spend alot of time. I saw the parents all day every day until about day 3 after the eggs hatched. I made the mistake of putting a berry in the planter. I thought I was giving the mom some help. I haven’t seen her in nest since. What should I do?
Hello kimberley,
I am not sure putting a berry would spook the wrens. If they are absent it is more likely due to another reason.
I would remove the berry and monitor the nest and see if they continue feeding the young. If no wren shows up in an hour of monitoring, check the nest to see what is inside. If they hatched only three days ago they would not have fledged. The chicks might have been taken by a predators, hence the parents stop coming back to the nest.
Keep us posted.
Al.
We have been politely watching a baby who was coming along well in an aloe plant on the front porch. This morning we peeked and found our little fella had be killed in the nest. The only thing I see is maybe a house wren? Any other thoughts. So sad.
Hello Renee,
That is a possibility. House wrens are known for doing things like that. Although, other competing Carolina Wrens may do similar things to rival pairs.
Al.
Hi, i have carolina wrens nesting in a large potted plant on my back deck. This is not the first time the wrens have nested here, in fact, it happens every year. However this year something strange is going on. We went on a trip the 5th of July and the wrens were already incubating eggs, don’t know how many or exactly when incubation started but would guess it had been going on for several days at that point. We returned 2 weeks later and the wrens were feeding chicks, I could hear them. Then a couple of days ago, 3, I saw a big chick on the deck and one of the wrens feeding it. The chick disappeared after a few hours. (we back to a wetland/forested area so I assumed it ended up back there. The next day however the two wrens were back in a feeding frenzy at the nest and I can hear chicks but I can’t see them. They are still at it and it has now been at least 28, 29 maybe even 30 days since incubation started?
Do you think the wren babies were stunted because of the bigger chick, (cowbird I guess), but didn’t die so they need a longer time to catch up before they fledge? Trying to catch the fledge when it happens but the wrens are so stealth and the plant affords them an easy tangle to hide the nest in. Could there have been two nests or something?? Just curious, I have had many carolina wren nestings over the years but nothing like this. Thanks for any information you can offer.
Hello Deborah,
The timeframe you describe is just about right, give and take a few days. It appears to me that the chick you observed left the nest first and the rest were still in the nest ready to leave within a day or two. Not sure if the first chick you observed outside was noticeably larger and of a different plumage (this could indicate a baby cowbird). While cowbirds get more food than the wren chicks, if summer weather conditions are normal, the parents find and bring enough food for all chicks in the nest.
Hope they all fledged successfully.
Al.
I wish you had not used the adjective “notorious” in writing about Brown-headed Cowbirds and House Wrens. I’m a wildlife biologist who has primarily worked with birds over the past few decades, and I really don’t like this sort of criminalizing birds who are just doing what they evolved to do for survival of their species. I’ve seen their behavior described elsewhere as cruel and mean, and I felt compelled to argue on the cowbirds’ behalf.
With BHCO, as you may know, they were a species of the Great Plains who moved eastward just as coyotes did after we cleared the Eastern forests and eliminated their predators and competitors. We essentially invited cowbirds and coyotes to come here, to places where birds and other living creatures hadn’t evolved with them and didn’t know how to deal with their brood parasitism and predation.
The word notorious is clearly negative. And as a former professional writer and editor, as well as an environmental educator, I understand how that kind of language can make people think these creatures are terrible. But their behaviors have been evolved for their species’ survival, and now because we screwed up, you’re calling them notorious? I say no. Please think of another way to describe this.
And, by the way, in case you don’t know this, there is evidence that some of the songbird species who evolved in the eastern United States are beginning to understand BHCO nest and brood parasitism in the sense that they are recognizing the larger eggs and chicks and throwing them out of their nests. I can’t recall in which species this behavior has been observed, but I know it was at least one warbler species. And I have a friend who works for USFWS out of Madison, Wisconsin who believes we should expose at least some of the highly endangered Kirtland’s Warblers to BHCO brood parasitism rather than paying seasonal field techs to trap and euthanize every single cowbird they can find. That’s because current management practices will never allow Kirtland’s Warblers to evolve so as to deal with BHCO nest and brood parasitism themselves. What if funding is cut off at some point for the seasonal field techs and their BHCO control efforts? That is not out of the question at this point in time.
Thanks for considering my views.
Hello Beth,
Regarding my use of “notorious,” I understand it can sometimes carry a negative connotation, as it typically means “well-known” for something. The negative connotation was the intend here.
Concerning the issue of exposing Kirtland’s Warblers to cowbird parasitism, I don’t know enough about the issue to have an opinion. While I’m aware that the warbler population is small and vulnerable (to catastrophic events) due to their limited wintering locations in the Caribbean, I don’t have specific details about their population dynamics. It seems to me that slowing down population growth by allowing cowbird parasitism poses a greater risk than the uncertain benefits of potential evolutionary change.
Thank you for your comments and feedback!
Al Begazo.
Al,
Thank you for all this great information!
We put up a bird house a few months ago never thinking a bird would actually use it. We did put it in a bad spot unfortunately, too close to the shed doors so now we are taking the long route to the shed and acting like cat burglars every time we open door.
But as of yesterday we have a mom and dad nesting there. Mom sits on the nest and sticks her head out the opening and Dad sits on the top and keeps watch. So exciting!
Now we know the timeline and will move locations once it is safe.
Happy birding!
Hello Marcie, Happy birding!
A Carolina Wren couple built a nest in a large paper lawn and leaf bag that I had left on my back porch. The babies just hatched and the parents are feeding them. The bag is 2/3 full of yard debris, and the top of the bag has some openings where the parents go in and out. Do you think the babies will be able to get out of the top of the bag when the time comes? When the babies get older should I open the bag more or cut down one side of the bag?
Hello Jean, my first impression is that the baby Carolina Wrens should be able to easily get out on their own. However, you can monitor the nest and see if you unusual motion and struggle from inside and then open up the bag. At the point, the chicks will be ready to fledge anyway. They will be fine either way.
Good luck,
Al.
Thank you! They all disappeared yesterday so all is well! The nest is empty. I quickly removed the bag, which became really gross sitting there in the rain for over a month!
I had a nest in a hanging basket at my side door. I pictured five eggs in there on June 1. It is now June 19 – two days ago, the birds were very mobile, sticking their little feet out, enjoying being fed, and then suddenly, following a rainstorm that afternoon, they were gone. I feel that they were too young to have fledged at this point. The parents had been feeding them and checking on them, that evening I saw the parents both in the vicinity, one with food, but the nest was empty. When I went through my doorbell-camera videos later to see if it had picked up any motion that would indicate what happened to the chicks, I saw nothing in the timeframe that they would’ve disappeared. However, later on that evening, like around 10:30, I saw a snake in the camera video. I am despondent, because I believe that the babies were simply eliminated.
Hello Dagmar, yes it seems that they were too young to fledge. If you saw a snake in the surveillant camera, it may indicate that the snake found the nest. Unfortunately, this is not a rare occurrence among bird nests. They parents may try again, likely at another location.
Regards,
Al.
I found one of our Carolina wrens dead. Her nest was in the eaves of our porch, so I could not see any babies. Next morning, at 5:30 A.M. I saw the mate at the nest, but then he was hopping all over the porch, probably searching. He never returned, and when I got up on a ladder, the nest was broken and no babies were inside. Obviously a predator had raided the nest. I feel so sad, they are my favorite birds. Will the living bird ever mate and/or return again?
Hello Joan, a lot of bird nest are raided by predators every nesting season, that is normal. As with other birds, when a mate goes missing, the remaining member of the pair will find a new mate to nest the next season. If the nest was raided, it is unlikely that they return to nest at the same spot.
Good luck,
Al
Good afternoon from NC, 07/04/2025
I mistakenly thought our NC House Wren’s nest was empty…I removed it and placed it relatively close to the potted Christmas cactus where the nest was built on our front porch. Approximately 5 hrs later I realized the chicks in the nest…Crap! The nest is intact and I’ve replaced the nest to original location; will the parents return and if not what is your recommendation(s). Please advise.
Peace,
Van
Hello Van,
Yes, chicks in the nest are less critical than eggs. Chicks begin to call once they get hungry and parents will find them easily. Now that you replaced the nest to its original site things should be just fine.
Al.
I have a mama wren with 5-6 eggs in a hanging planter on my porch. The plants are fake, so I don’t have to water, and we’ve left her alone, not bothering the basket. I noticed the past two days that she must be sitting b/c a bird I assume to be Dad is flying back and forth all day bringing bugs. We have an indoor/outdoor cat who would be a danger to the chicks. How will I know when they’ve hatched and when to keep the cat inside, and how many days will I need to retain him before it’s safe for him to prowl outside again? He definitely hunts when he’s out.
Hello Valerie,
Carolina wrens incubate the eggs for about 14 days. Once the eggs hatch, the chicks remain in the nest for about 12-14 days. Please, try to keep the cat inside near the day chicks are likely to fledge and a few days more as chicks are mor vulnerable the first few days after fledging.
Al.
I have a a Carolina wren nesting on her eggs in a basket inside a tv stand we have on our deck. She left the nest around 7 this evening and still hasn’t returned at nearly 3 am should I be worried for the eggs? Every evening since she laid them not quite a week ago she returns to the nest until early morning. Fearful that a squirrel or something might have gotten her since she’s not returned. There’s a webcam overlooking the nest that I monitored her activity with. Yesterday I set up a bird bath and feeder on the deck as well and made sure that it’s far enough from the hand rails and everything to prevent a squirrel from being able to access it. Just puzzled and worried about her and her eggs.
I have a wren nest in my hanging basket on my porch. It had 2 eggs but I accidentally broke one. I haven’t seen the mama at all. Wondering how long can the egg last without the mama. I don’t know what to do .
Hello Kay, at this point in time (breeding season is over) it is likely that it was an abandoned nest. However, I don’t know where in the US you are. If you never saw a bird (the parents) at all, prior or after you accidentally moved the nest, then those eggs were abandoned some time ago. I would not worry about breaking an egg or removing the nest. Wrens do not reuse the nest but build a new one every year.
Al.