The best feeder for winter wrens
A mouse-like skulker of brush piles and logjams; keep a corner of the yard untidy to hold one all winter.
Feeder styles that work
High-fat food in winter; a tail prop suits woodpeckers.
Insect- and fruit-eaters rarely use seed feeders.
What to fill it with
- Suet crumbs
- Mealworms
Sizing the feeder to the bird
The Winter Wren measures 3.1–4.7 in and weighs 0.3–0.4 oz. Perches, ports and landing surfaces need to fit that frame — too small and the bird can't feed comfortably, too open and larger birds and squirrels dominate.
Keep it clean
Scrub feeders every two weeks in hot soapy water, soak 10 minutes in a 1:9 bleach solution, rinse and dry before refilling. Rake up hulls underneath.
Frequently asked
What kind of feeder is best for winter wrens?
Suet cage or tail-prop suet feeder. High-fat food in winter; a tail prop suits woodpeckers.
What should I put in a feeder for winter wrens?
Suet crumbs, Mealworms.
Where should I place a feeder for winter wrens?
A mouse-like skulker of brush piles and logjams; keep a corner of the yard untidy to hold one all winter.
Sources
- Winter Wren — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Winter Wren life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Winter Wren — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.