House Wrens in California

House Wrens live in California all year. Wet, mild winters are the green season — the busiest time at coastal feeders as sparrows and hummingbirds settle in. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward insects on wintering grounds in the southern u.s. and mexico.

Mediterranean along the coast and Central Valley, alpine in the Sierra Nevada, and desert in the southeast.

Across California, house wrens typically nest from April–August. Nest site: almost any cavity — boxes, gourds, even boots and flowerpots; males build several stick-filled dummy nests. Females lay 3–10 eggs, incubate for 9–16 days, and young leave the nest after 15–17 days.

Dry summers with little rain from May to October; water and summer-blooming natives matter more than extra seed.

• Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — house wrens begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
• Use a 1 to 1 1/8 in round entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–10 ft near shrubs.
• Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
• Clean out old nests after each brood and again after August.

Of the regional native plants we track for California, these 8 provide food or cover house wrens use:

House wrens rarely visit feeders. They are attracted by brush piles, insect-rich plantings and nest boxes placed near shrub cover.

• Best foods: Mealworms (occasionally).
• Avoid: Seed — house wrens do not eat it.
• In California's winter: Wet, mild winters are the green season — the busiest time at coastal feeders as sparrows and hummingbirds settle in.

Full diet breakdown for house wrens