~ The House Wren ~
We rarely see this particular tiny bird in our garden even though it's a native
of eastern North Carolina. It rarely comes to seed feeders preferring an insect diet.
In winter months it sometimes migrates to other southern states and Mexico,
but often just hangs out in North Carolina year round.
A very tiny bird, just a bit smaller than the more prolific Carolina wren - my favorite
little bird ~ but the same size as the Carolina chickadee, this wren apparently has
found its way to my front porch over the past few days, and. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .guess who's having to fend him/her off from their nest site in the
Home Sweet Home box, our pair of chickadees!
They have a plan though, when the wren shows up, one stays covering the entrance
while the other one hangs on the Boston fern then chases the noisy wren away.
Here the House wren is sitting on the jasmine below the nest box, probably thinking
the spider web is camouflaging it! This bird is very cute, barely 5" long and not
as chubby as the Carolina wren. Brown and tan, with a slightly curved bill, it also
holds its tail erect. It lacks the white eyebrow of the Carolina wren but is also a
prolific songster, singing loud, melodious songs from dawn to dusk during
the mating season. I'll be keeping an eye on it as I don't want it to steal
house and home from the chickadees - they have nested here for the past
three years, and last year in April we were lucky enough to watch the
four babies fledge - an awesome sight.
From the wildlife habitat, my garden, yet another bird story. . . . . . . .
and there will be more of course!
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