Wren Hens

We have a family of House Wrens that have built a nest in a pitcher hanging off the back of our hose reel. I originally hung the pitcher there so I didn't have to lug the hose over if I was just watering our key lime tree. It was only there for a week or so before Makenna noticed it filling with sticks. She kept an eye on it then announced, "Mom, I think a bird is making a nest in that pitcher!" It seemed unlikely to me because it's in such a high traffic area on the side of our house. But, when I checked it, sure enough it was an official nest. I looked like a pile of sticks and grass, but if you looked closely you could see a tunnel down to the bottom. We quickly hung a bird house that Makenna had built and was in the process of decorating right near the pitcher. Our thought was that if we gave it a safer house to build in maybe it would actually not get frightened off, and also wouldn't abandon chicks or eggs should things get that far.

Shows you what we know....the birds have no interest in "our" nest spot, and proceeded to lay eggs ("Mom, you're not going to believe it, but I see Eggs in there!") and the eggs actually hatched ("MOM, there are baby birds in there!!!).

We've been watching these little guys and their lives and it's been so much fun and such a treat. We've all had a facefull of retreating Momma as we've tried to poke our heads in to check on them or get a better look. When they first hatched they were just hairless pink wonders and we all just couldn't believe that they actually made it that far. Now they lay in there quietly, heads close to the edge, waiting. If momma comes near it's peeppeeppeepeepepepeeeeeeep.

If you look at the picture above, you can see the mom ready to feed the little guys and they have their mouths wide open waiting. I was pretty lucky to get the shot. I had been looking at the nest with Jordan's camera, playing around, trying to see if I could get a good shot when she started coming around with their dinner. I stood still as could be and didn't move all the while holding the camera in the same position. When she got close the babies started their peeping and begging but when I took the photo she flew away. I left immediately so she could do her job but I'm so pleased with this shot.

It's been great. We love our little Wren Hens (as Makenna calls them).