[va-bird] Re: Aggressive Wren in Herndon

Yes, chipmunks, squirrels and raccoons will eat birds' eggs, so the wren =
was reacting to that, but house wrens are very aggressive anyway. They =
will displace another cavity nesting bird (such as chickadees, bluebirds =
or tree swallows) by driving them out of their nest box, sometimes =
killing them or their young and sometimes building their nest right on =
top of the other birds' eggs (or young). They also start their stick =
nests in as many locations as they can in order to secure a nesting =
place for themselves, discouraging the others (bluebirds and chickadees =
are not aggressive and do not build nests on another species nest that =
has been started). This behavior is displayed by the house wren only, =
not the Carolina wren who does not take over other nests, but likes to =
build their own little leafy cocoon-like nest in wreaths, grilles, =
boats, flower pots or anything else a human may have outside in the =
yard. This is why we are not happy to see house wrens present at the =
bluebird trails and another reason bluebirds need our help by providing =
them with nesting boxes for as many chances as possible to successfully =
nest and procreate. Bluebirds have 2 or 3 broods a year. Sometimes their =
first attempt is destroyed by house wrens or some other predator and =
that is probably why they are "programmed" to try for three broods.=20

Margaret Wester
Calmes Neck,
Clarke County, VA =20

-----Original Message-----
From: va-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:va-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of WILLIAM Brown
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 11:50 AM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [va-bird] Aggressive Wren in Herndon


Visitors to our backyard pond yesterday included a Chestnut-sided =
Warbler=20
and a Black-throated Green Warbler.  What really got our attention, =
however,=20
was a House Wren attacking a chipmunk in a tree.  The wren repeatedly =
dove=20
at the chipmunk, which was sitting on a branch about 12 feet above =
ground. =20
The wren struck the chipmunk with its bill in at least six separate =
dives=20
before the chipmunk scampered down the tree and ran to a brush pile for=20
cover.  The wren has been building a nest in a nestbox in a nearby tree, =
and=20
I wonder whether it perceived the chipmunk as a threat to the nest.
I have never observed this aggressive behavior in a wren before. I'd be=20
interested in hearing if others have.

Bill Brown
Herndon


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