House Wren

The most common member of the wren family in North America is the house wren. These birds nest in a variety of different habitats and range from Canada to the southern tips of South America. Because they are a cavity nester they often have to compete for nesting sites with larger birds such as tree swallows and bluebirds.
Although they can often be found nesting in natural tree cavities and woodpecker holes they will also nest in man made objects such as nesting boxes and the eaves of buildings. Inside the cavity the wrens will pile up sticks, often blocking the entrance thus protecting the nest from predators and the elements. On top of the sticks they will build a small cup nest, made up of feathers, vegetation, hair, fur, string or other soft materials, for the eggs will rest on. They will typically lay a clutch of 2 to 10 eggs that will hatch after around 10 to 15 days. I photographed this wren near the old Cedar Avenue Bridge last September.