When it comes to attracting wrens to nest in your backyard, putting up a wren house is a great way to do so. Wrens are small songbirds that are native to many parts of North America. They are very active birds that flit around quickly from place to place. Wrens are insectivores, meaning they predominantly eat insects. They help control pest populations in your yard. Wrens are cavity nesters, meaning they build nests and lay eggs inside enclosed spaces like birdhouses. Installing a wren house in your backyard is an excellent way to provide wrens with a safe nesting site and to enjoy their presence around your home.
When setting up a wren house, there are many important factors to consider, such as the house’s location, its size and dimensions, and whether or not to include a perch. One question that often comes up is what color you should paint or stain your wren house. The color can make a difference in how attractive the house is to wrens searching for a nesting cavity. So what is the best color for a wren house?
Why Does the Color Matter?
You may be wondering why the color of a wren house matters at all. Shouldn’t wrens just be looking for any cavity of the right size? It’s true that the size and shape of the entry hole and internal cavity are likely the most important factors that will determine if wrens find a nest box acceptable. However, scientific research has shown that the outward appearance of nest boxes, including their color and level of illumination, can influence the preferences of cavity nesting birds when selecting a nest site.
Visual cues and appearances matter to birds more than we may assume. Bird vision is quite different from human vision. Wrens can see ultraviolet light, have a wider range of color vision, and are more sensitive to variations in brightness. The way a wren house looks to our eyes may be very different from how wrens perceive it. Subtle differences in color, brightness, pattern and detailing that we cannot detect may stand out clearly to wrens. Therefore, considering the color and other visible traits of a wren house can help make it as attractive as possible to wrens.
Use Natural Wood Colors
Unfinished Wood
One of the best colors you can choose for your wren house is natural unfinished wood. The natural grains and knots of unfinished wood provide texture and visual interest. This looks attractive to wrens searching for a nest site. Leaving the wood unfinished allows it to blend in well with trees and fences in your backyard.
Wrens often nest around and inside cavities in dead trees, stumps, and logs where the wood is weathered and grayed. A nest box made of unfinished wood resembles the natural cavities wrens use. Light colored woods like pine, cedar, poplar or birch are good choices that match the inside of many natural cavities. The light color also makes the interior of the box brighter.
Stained or Painted Wood
If you want to add color to your wren house, it is best to choose light, natural wood tones. You can use transparent stains or paints to protect the wood while revealing the natural grain. Light browns, tans, grayish greens and pale yellows will resemble weathered wood in nature. Be sure to avoid any finishes with a glossy sheen, as completely smooth surfaces do not look natural to birds. A flat or satin stain is best.
Avoid unnatural colors
It is best to avoid painting your wren house in unnaturally bright colors like bright red, yellow, blue or purple. These colors stand out in a backyard environment and can actually make a house less attractive to wrens, despite our assumptions. Research has shown that wrens strongly prefer nest boxes with natural wood colors rather than artificial colors. Save the bright colors for decorations and use natural wood tones for your wren abode.
Use Colors That Blend In
Using natural wood tones has another advantage besides resembling the inside of a tree cavity. Natural colors help the wren house blend in with its surroundings rather than sticking out. Why does this matter?
Prevent Predator Notice
A wren house with a natural wood color is well camouflaged against trees, wooden fences, decks and other backyard structures. This helps the nest box go unnoticed by predators like cats, raccoons and snakes. If a nest box is painted a bright color, it is conspicuous and can draw the attention of predators to the nest site, putting the wrens in danger. Natural colors help the wren house blend in safely.
Reduce Nest Competiton
A subtly colored wren house is also less obvious to other birds like chickadees, titmice and sparrows. This reduces competition, as more drab houses tend to be explored and claimed by wrens first. Conspicuously colored nest boxes are more likely to catch the eye of non-wren species passing by. Protecting your wrens from competitors can help ensure the house doesn’t get occupied by other birds.
Decrease Birdhouse Takeover
Predators are not the only animals a colorful birdhouse will attract. Bright colors can draw the attention of curious humans, especially children. This can lead to individuals repeatedly checking on, touching, or even stealing from the birdhouse. A natural looking wren house blends in and does not attract such unnecessary interference. Wrens are shy, easily frightened birds. Limiting disturbances from neighbors can go a long way in getting wrens to successfully build a nest.
Use a Color That Captures Heat
Another factor to consider when choosing a color for your wren house is heat absorption. The color of the house’s exterior affects how much heat is absorbed from sunlight. This influences the internal temperature of the nesting cavity.
Dark Colors Absorb More Heat
Dark colors like black, dark brown and dark green absorb the most solar radiation, converting it into heat energy. This causes dark surfaces to get hotter in the sun. A black-painted wren house will capture a lot of heat from the sun’s rays.
Light Colors Reflect More Heat
On the opposite end of the spectrum, light colors like white, tan, light blue and light gray absorb less of the sun’s energy. Most of the radiation hits the light surface and bounces off rather than being converted to heat. This means lighter colored surfaces stay cooler in the hot sun.
Moderate Temperatures Are Best
When picking a color for your wren house, a lighter natural wood shade will typically be better than a darker color. While absorbing some warmth from the sun’s rays, the lighter color will not overheat the nest box. Temperatures inside the nesting cavity should not get excessively hot, as wren eggs and nestlings are sensitive. But the cavity should not be too cool either. A light to medium wood tone provides a comfortably warm, moderate temperature.
Does Color Affect Occupancy Rates?
Scientific research looking at how wren house color affects occupancy rates provides useful insight into the best color options. Controlled experiments have tested how wrens respond to identical nest boxes painted different colors. The results favor natural wood tones.
Avoid Red Houses
Multiple studies have shown that red colored wren houses have very low occupancy rates, even when red pigments derived from natural soils are used. Red may be attractive to our human eyes, but it does not seem to appeal to wrens searching for a nest site. Scientists hypothesize red signifies danger or elicits an avoidance response in many bird species. Steer clear of red paints and stains.
Natural Browns Are Preferred
In one study, unmodified natural wood wren houses had the highest average occupancy rates over a 5 year period compared to other colors, followed by houses stained medium brown. Unfinished wood and medium brown both resemble theinside of natural tree cavities. The natural colors clearly attract wrens best.
| House Color | 5 Year Occupancy Rate |
|---|---|
| Natural Unfinished Wood | 67% |
| Medium Brown Stain | 56% |
| Green Paint | 43% |
| Yellow Paint | 41% |
| Red Paint | 11% |
Even Natural Greens Trail Browns
Another study looked at green wren houses, testing different shades of green paint including olive green, bright parrot green, and two different greens made from natural clays and minerals. The green houses were less occupied than unfinished wood houses, even the natural green ones. Wrens favor browns over greens.
Avoid Brightly Lit Houses
The amount of sunlight exposure a wren house receives also influences its desirability, research shows. Wrens prefer cavities with dimmer, more secluded locations. Manufacturers often advise mounting wren houses in “open and sunny” locations. However, scientific studies reveal that may be counterproductive.
Reduce Sun Exposure
Houses mounted in shaded areas or facing north/east get less direct sunlight. These dimmer houses will be more attractive to wrens. You can also reduce sun exposure by attaching a wren house to a tree trunk or placing it near bushes, vines or tree branches. Avoid continually sunlit areas.
Use Overhangs for Shade
Attaching a wood roof overhang above your wren house is an excellent way to reduce sunlight falling directly on the entry hole and front of the nest box. The overhang casts a shadow that makes the house appear more like a sheltered natural cavity. An overhanging roof is highly recommended to lure wrens.
Plant Vines or Trees Nearby
If you cannot provide shade with overhangs or positioning, landscaping can help. Planting vines, bushes or young trees near your wren house will eventually provide foliage to block sunlight and create dimmer, more secluded conditions wrens innately prefer when nesting.
Conclusion
In summary, choosing the ideal color for a backyard wren house requires considering several factors that influence the attractiveness of the nest box to wrens:
– Use natural wood finishes in light browns, tans, grayish greens or pale yellows. These colors resemble the inside of natural cavities.
– Avoid bright red, purple, yellow or blue paints. Stick with subdued, natural wood tones.
– Ensure the color blends in with the surroundings, rather than sticking out. This hides the nest from predators and competitors.
– Pick a lighter color to prevent overheating the cavity while still absorbing some warmth.
– Get the highest occupancy rates by choosing unfinished wood or a medium brown stain.
– Reduce sunlight exposure by positioning the house in shade, adding a roof overhang, or planting nearby foliage.
Following these tips will help you pick the perfect color for attracting wrens to your backyard nest box. The right color can get your wren house swiftly occupied and ensure your wrens successfully raise healthy chicks. Soon you’ll be enjoying the sounds of wren fledglings and watching your backyard come alive with activity at the wren house.
