Hanging Wren Bird House Plans
This style bird house is classically called a wren house, but other smaller species can use it as well. Chickadees and titmice are two birds besides wrens who may pick this house to nest in. Often the problem with this bird house style is the size: usually they are not big enough on the interior and deep enough for birds to build a nest in. Make certain that a wren house is at least 6″ on each side with an entrance hole at least 5 1/2″ from the bottom of the house.
GET THE PLANS! click image for larger
An option for a circular hole as the front entrance is to cut out the top corner where the birds may enter. Advantages of this are: It is easier to cut the triangle out than drill a circular hole. A circle as the entrance needs to be so close to the top of the front panel that you risk splitting the wood.
If you use a triangle cut-out entrance and the wren house is going to be hung, an overhead baffle should be used since it is too easy for predators to access. Clear hanging baffles are available in dome shapes. On houses with circular holes, you can add a 3/4″ thick wood hole extender and metal ring around the entrance to offer some protection , but on the triangle shape you may not.
MOUNTING: This wren style bird house may be hung or post mounted. Post mounting is safest for the birds!!! To post mount, screw a 3/4 to 1″ thick board to the back of the house, just under the roof line and extending at least 10″ below the house to use as a mounting bracket. You may then screw the mounting bracket board into a post. This is more difficult than hanging as you will have to screw the top of the mounting bracket from the interior of the house.
We personally hang this style bird house by using an eye hook in the front panel and the back panel and suspending by a chain but we go the extra distance to tie it down securely. PLEASE BE AWARE: if you hang this house, you must must must make sure that it is secure and does not blow around much. A wind or storm will shake the daylights out of it, break eggs and harm birds. ANOTHER WIRE can be used to anchor the house from the back to another stabilizing mount such as a tree or even the ground if needed. We ALWAYS anchor these with a second chain or wire.
ACCESS: We have found that the easiest access method for a hanging wren house is to hinge the roof. This is done with a hinge attaching one roof panel to the side of the box, and a hook and eye on the back exterior of the house to secure it closed, OR a dresser hook pin drilled through the roof into the back side edge as a fastener. Please refer to the photo - it is worth a thousand words and all that. A piano hinge may be used on the interior, but remember that there is a 1/4″ ventilation gap between the side of the house and roof line. Ventilation holes may also be drilled in the back. A bird house needs drainage - Drain holes may be drilled in the bottom sides, 1/4″. In the case of the photo, the bottom is not a perfect fit as the board was slightly warped so these holes are not needed. There is a small gap in the bottom seam.
We have seen wren house plans where the access is on the sides, with a side panel that removes to open, but this does not wok out too well for monitoring nests. If there are babies in a nest, they should be checked on, and you can not remove the
side without disturbing the nest itself. The nest is built on the sides of the box.
Notes: the metal ring at the opening was purchased at a local wild bird watcher supply. It is now January here and the birds are just checking boxes but not actively nesting. In a few weeks we will hang this house under a clear dome baffle (we have snakes) and hang it by a more decorative chain, but for right now, this give the birds the opportunity to house hunt. After a couple of seasons the cedar will age and blend well with it’s surroundings.
It has been up a week and the chickadees and titmice have inspected it, and ironically, an Eastern bluebird couple. The bluebirds spent a lot of time on it, going inside over and again, along with checking out the surrounding area. This particular bluebird couple also looked at the other bird houses in our yard but seemed to like the wren house style best. Our other bird houses the bluebird couple inspected are designed to be specifically suited for bluebirds. Of course at this time it’s just inspecting potential homes, not nesting, but we’d think it would be amusing if they did decide to nest in a wren house and ignore the bluebird houses.
Our Carolina Wren couple hasn’t look at it yet that we know of - but they are battling us for our grill which they really are very determined to move into.
If you build a bird house, buy a bird house, or just have wild birds nesting on your property, please consider participating in NestWatch Birdhouse Network!
LATER NOTE: we had Carolina chickadees successfully nest and raise a family in this box. You can also shop for pre-made bird houses at Wild Bird Houses and Boxes.