Wren house dimensions and where to hang a wren house
House wrens are small and take a small entrance hole, 1 to 1 1/4 inches, and a 1 inch hole also keeps house sparrows out. Wrens often fill spare boxes with dummy stick nests. The box dimensions, mounting height and a ready-made option are below.
A 1 inch hole keeps house sparrows out. Wrens fill spare boxes with dummy stick nests.
What are the house wren house dimensions?
| Inside floor | 4 x 4 in |
|---|---|
| Floor to roof | 6 to 8 in |
| Entrance | 1 to 1 1/4 in |
| Hole above floor | 4 to 6 in |
| Mounting height | 5 to 10 ft |
| Habitat | Shrubby yards and woodland edges. Can hang from a branch. |
| Range | Most of the US in summer |
Source: Cornell Lab NestWatch nest box table and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "Homes for Birds". Build one from these numbers with the birdhouse calculator, which adds a board cut list.
More boxes that fit
Budget ranges are a guide; the button shows the current price on Amazon.
Where should a house wren house go?
Shrubby yards and woodland edges. Can hang from a branch. Mount on a smooth metal pole where possible, fit a predator guard, and face the entrance away from prevailing wind. Leave the box up through winter as a roost, and clean it out after each brood.
Where to hang a wren house
House wrens are one of the few cavity nesters that accept a box hanging from a branch, hook or eave rather than fixed to a pole, so a wren house can hang 5 to 10 feet up from a tree limb, a shepherd's hook or the edge of a porch roof. Put it near shrubs, a hedge or a brush pile, since wrens nest at woodland edges and want cover within a short flight. Partial shade is better than full afternoon sun, and the entrance should face away from the prevailing wind.
| Where to hang a wren house | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 to 10 ft above the ground |
| Mount | Hanging from a branch, hook or eave, or on a pole |
| Habitat | Shrubby yards, woodland edge, near dense cover |
| Spacing | Males claim several boxes; two or three 30 ft or more apart in a yard is normal |
| Entrance hole | 1 to 1 1/4 in, no perch |
Because a male wren fills every spare cavity in his territory with dummy stick nests, a wren house hung near a bluebird or chickadee box can cost you that nest. Keep wren houses closer to shrubs and the other species' boxes out in the open, 30 feet or more apart, as the Cornell Lab's NestWatch spacing guidance suggests.
Sources
- Wren house dimensions and height: the Cornell Lab of Ornithology NestWatch nest box table (4 x 4 in floor, 6 to 8 in deep, 1 to 1 1/4 in hole, 5 to 10 ft up).
- Box spacing: Cornell Lab NestWatch guidance on pairing and spacing nest boxes.
Watch the nest without disturbing it
Nest box cameras let you follow eggs and chicks without opening the box.
Nest box dimensions for other species
Eastern Bluebird · Western Bluebird · Mountain Bluebird · Tree Swallow · Violet-green Swallow · Purple Martin · Carolina Wren · Bewick's Wren · Black-capped Chickadee · Carolina Chickadee · Tufted Titmouse · White-breasted Nuthatch · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Red-bellied Woodpecker · Red-headed Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Prothonotary Warbler · Great Crested Flycatcher · Ash-throated Flycatcher · Eastern Screech-Owl · American Kestrel · Barn Owl · Wood Duck · American Robin · Barn Swallow · Eastern Phoebe
Birds that do not use boxes: Cardinals · Blue Jays · Mourning Doves · Goldfinches · Hummingbirds · Orioles · House Finches
Get the nest box season checklist
When to put boxes up, when to clean them out, and the hole sizes for every common species, on one page.
After the checklist, a few short emails, then a couple a month at most. Unsubscribe anytime.Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hang a wren house?
Five to 10 feet up, hanging from a tree branch, hook or eave or fixed to a pole, near shrubs or a brush pile at the edge of the yard, with the 1 to 1 1/4 inch entrance facing away from the prevailing wind and out of full afternoon sun.
Can a wren house hang from a tree?
Yes. House wrens accept boxes that swing from a branch, which most other cavity nesters do not. A short chain or wire from a limb 5 to 10 feet up works; keep it clear of thick foliage so the entrance stays open.
What size hole does a house wren need?
The published figure is 1 to 1 1/4 in, drilled 4 to 6 inches above the floor. A hole this small also keeps house sparrows out. Keep the edge smooth and never add a perch.
How high should a house wren house be mounted?
Mount it 5 to 10 feet above the ground. Shrubby yards and woodland edges. Can hang from a branch. A smooth metal pole with a predator guard or baffle is safer than a tree trunk or wooden fence post, which cats, raccoons and snakes can climb. Face the entrance away from prevailing wind and afternoon sun where you can.
Where do house wrens live?
Most of the US in summer. Shrubby yards and woodland edges. Can hang from a branch. A box put up outside the species' range or in the wrong habitat will simply be taken by whatever local cavity nester does fit, which is often a wren, chickadee or house sparrow.
When should I put up a house wren house?
Late winter, before birds start choosing sites in early spring, is ideal. Boxes put up later still attract second nesting attempts and late arrivals. Clean old nesting material out after each brood fledges and again before the next season; many small birds also use empty boxes as winter night roosts.
What should go inside a house wren box?
Nothing. House Wrens build their own nest. A 1 inch hole keeps house sparrows out. Wrens fill spare boxes with dummy stick nests. Use untreated wood, drill 1/4 inch drainage holes in the floor and leave ventilation gaps under the roof.
