Washington · Year-round resident

Bewick's Wrens in Washington

When Bewick's wrens are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.

Wrens (Troglodytidae)Bewick's WrenThryomanes bewickii

Status in Washington: Year-round resident
Nesting window: March–June
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4a–9a
Nest box: 1 1/4 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–10 ft

When to expect Bewick's wrens in Washington

Bewick's Wrens live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward insects; suet.

Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.

Nesting in Washington

Across Washington, Bewick's wrens typically nest from March–June. Nest site: cup in cavities or nest boxes. Females lay 3–8 eggs, incubate for 14–16 days, and young leave the nest after 14 days.

Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.

Have boxes cleaned and mounted before February — Bewick's wrens begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
Use a 1 1/4 in entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–10 ft.
Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
Clean out old nests after each brood and again after June.

Native Washington plants that attract Bewick's wrens

Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover Bewick's wrens use:

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Oregon white oak

Quercus garryana · Tree

Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.

Douglas fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii · Tree

Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.

Willow (Bebb)

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Feeding Bewick's wrens through the Washington year

Uses nest boxes and odd cavities in yards; has vanished from most of the East.

Best foods: Suet, Mealworms.
In Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.

Full diet breakdown for Bewick's wrens · Best feeder for Bewick's wrens

Frequently asked

Are Bewick's wrens in Washington year-round?

Yes. Bewick's Wrens are year-round residents in Washington.

When do Bewick's wrens nest in Washington?

Nesting in Washington typically runs March–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–8 eggs, incubated for 14–16 days.

What native plants attract Bewick's wrens in Washington?

Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for Bewick's wrens.

What size birdhouse hole do Bewick's wrens need?

1 1/4 in, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–10 ft.

Bewick's Wrens in other regions

Arizona British Columbia California Colorado Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Oregon Texas Utah

Other backyard birds in Washington

Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Purple Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.