How to Prepare and Season Your Birdhouse

Ian Holloway, the mastermind behind 3D Creations Online has a ton of information on local bird habits and how to season your birdhouse to attract little feathered friends!

In Southern Ontario the majority of folks are looking to attract Wrens. The following information should help you to start your birdhouse.

Wrens can winter in Southern Ontario, when they do they need a warm shelter from the elements and a birdhouse will work fine. Most fly further south in the winter and further north in mid to late summer. You can attract this amazing songbird in the spring if your birdhouse is prepared "seasoned" and "located" AND if they select it. 

They can have 1-2 clutches per season and usually start nesting in late April. You can add 2 weeks to this if you are north of Barrie.

It is the male wren — not the female — that kicks off the nesting process when he returns in the spring. His cheery song is a declaration of claimed territory, and he’ll usually want that territory to be in a bushy area with lots of cover. He’ll build multiple partial nests in wren houses or natural tree cavities. When a female finds a home she likes, she’ll mate with the builder.

When a birdhouse is to be offered to a female by the male wren, he will start putting lots of small twigs into the bird house, If the female selects this location they will STUFF the house FULL with small twigs. 

To season a birdhouse place it in a sheltered, near tree, shady spot where there are lots of insects and bugs for food. Put about 10 very small twigs in the house to give the home a wild smell and let the wrens know it is a possible habitat. If the birdhouse was used last year you would have cleaned out and mild soap / water washed the house and then re-seasoned. If the wrens like a location / house they are likely to return every year,

To attract a wren family to nest in your yard, bird experts suggest allowing an area of your yard to get a little wild or unruly. Then put a wren birdhouse there. To really help wrens out, the experts say you can offer nesting like small twigs or moss.

Their diet consists mainly of bugs. They will not eat seeds so a bird feeder will not help attract wrens. When there are young (fledglings) to feed it is non stop work to find suitable bugs for the young. Wrens will come to a bird bath with moving water such as a dripper or a small waterfall.

These nest boxes are small, with an opening of around 1-1/8 in. diameter. Measurements may vary slightly, but generally, the floor should measure about 5 x 5 inches, and the box interior should be about 8 in. tall. All 3D Creations Birdhouses are suitable for Wrens.

Don't believe it when some say the house should be plain (like wood) as I have personal experience with Wrens in my birdhouses in blue, reds, whites and yellows. It is all about the location (shady trees, bugs for food, about 5 feet off the ground). 

Hanging or mounted birdhouses work well but hanging tend to be safer from predators. Wrens prefer homes hung on low tree branches and are one of few species that tolerate swaying birdhouses.

Boxes should be mounted 5 ft. to 10 ft. off the ground to protect birds from predators, or hung in a tree. You can place the birdhouse (mostly) inside a pine or cedar to provide protections, just on the edge so you can watch and photograph all the activities.

Wren nest boxes should be cleaned out in fall after the last brood of the season leaves the nest. Remove all materials and use a mild soap to wash out the interior, rinse well and return a few (5-10) of the previous year twigs. If your birdhouse is selected for nesting the Wrens will get busy loading the cavity with small twigs. This is when you know they have selected your birdhouse.

Normal wooden birdhouses will not weather well (2 years usually) but 3D Creations birdhouses will last many years and remain colourfast. I get Wrens in at least one birdhouse every year. BUT - if you live in an area where there are no wrens you may only have a whimsical garden decoration. 

In summer, your best bet to attract a wren would be to have a backyard full of insects. Wrens don’t typically visit feeders, instead preferring to snack on bugs. So your best bet is to grow a variety of native plants and flowering shrubs that attract beneficial bugs.

To "season" a birdhouse means to encourage birds to choose it as their nest site. While it's not a literal process like seasoning food, it involves preparing the house and its surroundings to make it attractive and suitable. Here's how: 

Choosing the Right Location:

• Consider the birds' preferences: Wrens are territorial and may be hesitant to nest in houses that are too close to each other. They also prefer locations that provide some cover and protection from predators. Wrens will tolerate being close to humans but if you are too close they will either reject your birdhouse or if they have started nesting and you come too close they will tell you by "chattering". 
• Mount the house securely: Ensure it's sturdy and won't fall or sway in strong winds. Wrens will nest in a hanging birdhouse but make sure the house is protected from strong prevailing winds 
• Wrens: place the birdhouse on a small tree in the middle of a yard or along the edge of an open yard. They prefer houses that are well-hidden in natural habitat. 
• Timing: Place the birdhouse no later than February in southern Ontario and mid to late March in northern regions for the best results. If possible place and season your birdhouse in the fall and leave it out all winter to become part of your environment for the birds who may winter or arrive early in the spring.

Prepare the Birdhouse:

• Clean the house: Remove old nests and debris to ensure a fresh and clean environment. 
• Offer nesting materials: Wrens will often add their own nesting materials, but you can provide some options like small twigs, moss, and grass. Just put small twigs in though the opening, preferably in the fall to season the house for spring.
• Consider adding a bit of sawdust or woodchips: Some cavity-nesting birds, like woodpeckers, waterfowl, and owls, prefer nest boxes with a layer of these materials in the bottom. 

Maintain the Birdhouse:

• Clean the house annually: This helps prevent the bottom from rotting and ensures a healthy environment for the birds. 
• Be patient: Don't be discouraged if birds don't immediately start nesting in the house. It may take some time for them to discover and choose it. 

If you are too late for this season, you will, at least, be ready for the next one.

Enjoy!