Wren Box Plans


Build a Wren Bird House
Build the wrens in your neighborhood a home - your fine feathered friends will love it. When all other song birds fail to take advantage of a house built for them, the wren can still be counted on. Almost any sort of home from a tin can or hollow gourd on up is satisfactory if put in a safe place and provided with an opening 1" or slightly less in diameter, so the sparrows stay out. How to build a good wren home is shown in the plans below. Wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud and often complex songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous, though some also feed on vegetable matter. |
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There are about 80 species of true wrens, though the name is also ascribed to other unrelated birds throughout the world. The dominating colors are grey, brown, black and white, and most species show some barring, especially to tail and/or wings.
A few species, especially the Winter Wren and the House Wren, are often associated with humans. Most species are non-migratory, remaining in Central and South America all year round, but the few temperate species typically migrate to warmer climes in winter. Wrens build dome-shaped nests, and may be either monogamous or polygamous, depending on species. |
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Construction of the Bird House Almost any sort of lumber may be used, but birds take most readily to that which has been weathered out of doors. The type of wood that should be used is one that does not warp badly; white pine and cypress meet these requirements. Yellow poplar and cedar with or without the bark left on can be used. |
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It's better if a perch is not used. Perches make it easier for predators like cats and squirrels to reach inside. |
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The entrance hole for the wren house should not be larger than 1 1/8". The House Wren prefers a 7/8" hole, the Bewick Wren a 1" hole and the Carolina Wren prefers a 1 1/8" hole. The entrance should be 1" to 6" above the floor.
The bird house plans below for a wren box are not totally drawn to scale but the measurements shown are correct. The bird house pictures on this page were made from the plans below. ![]() ![]() ![]() |