Diet
What do house wrens eat?
Insectivore — almost entirely insects and spiders.
Spring and summer diet
- Beetles, caterpillars and crickets
- Spiders and flies
Fall and winter diet
- Insects on wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and Mexico
Best feeder foods
- Mealworms (occasionally)
Avoid
- Seed — house wrens do not eat it
House wrens rarely visit feeders. They are attracted by brush piles, insect-rich plantings and nest boxes placed near shrub cover.
Where house wrens need winter food
Regions where house wrens are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do house wrens eat?
Insectivore — almost entirely insects and spiders.
What is the best food to feed house wrens?
Mealworms (occasionally).
What should I not feed house wrens?
Seed — house wrens do not eat it.
What do house wrens eat in winter?
Insects on wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and Mexico.
Sources
- House Wren — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Wren life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Wren — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.