| 416-482-9990
Contact

Where to Photograph House Wrens?

Skip Navigation LinksHome > On Nature > Where to Photograph House Wrens?
Last updated March 2011

At Guelph Arboretum!

Spanning 408 hectares, the Guelph Arboretum is crisscrossed with 8.2km of trails. Taking a leisurely walk on these trails, visitors can enjoy a large variety of species including, 38 species of mammals, 188 species of birds, 39 species of butterflies, 18 herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) and 1,700 types of trees and shrubs. Which is remarkable considering that the park is within Guelph's city boundaries.

One of the more commonly found bird species in the arboretum is the House Wren – a tiny songbird, 11–13 cm long, with a beautiful bubbling song.

Click on each image to view a larger version!
House Wren with dead stick as nest building material House Wren with spider cotton as nest building material House Wren with dead stick as nest building material
In-flight close-ups of the House Wren with nest building materials.

During the breeding season, the male House Wren builds several dummy nests, sometimes more than ten! This nest building strategy allows the female to choose the best one and also as a defense mechanism to confuse predators. The House Wren pictured above was observed building two nests, both in tree cavities and in a few meters proximity of each other.

How To Get To Holiday Guelph Arboretum


Leave a Comment