Keeping house

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House wren (Troglodytes aedon)

When we think of nesting wrens in our state, we think of Carolina wrens. (OK, this is not Carolina but the entire state of Tennessee before 1796 was part of the Tarheel State, so it once was Carolina.)

Carolina wrens nest any and everywhere around our homes, carports, garages, decks, mailboxes, vacant cars, porch swings, etc. etc. They are abundant and widespread and not particularly shy. They'll nest in your lunchbox if you leave it open long enough, so diner beware.

On the other hand, the smaller house wren tends to migrate through our area. They can be found year round in large parts of South America but another population migrates north as far as Canada in the northern summer. This means the perky petite passerines can be found nesting from southern Chile to mid-Canada. That's a large range for a perky petite passerine that's roughly four inches long and weighs 11 grams, the equivalent of two U.S. quarters. 


The nesting that does occur locally is concentrated in the Tri-cities, the northeast corner of the state. But nature is exuberant with "exceptions to the rule." A few house wrens do nest here and there in the Tennessee Valley, but not in great numbers. It's more higgledy-piggledy. When they nest it tends to be near our homes in suburban settings with shade trees and lawns. They'll use nest boxes and have been known to add spider egg sacs to the nesting materials, so that the resulting spider hatchlings can control any outbreak of nest mites. Natural pest control.

My photographer friend Wayne Mallinger sent me these two beautiful photos he took this past nesting season in Madisonville.

Thanks, Wayne.

Photos by Wayne Mallinger

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