CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Hi All, After coming home from the water project in 37B this past weekend, I noticed a cactus wren furiously bringing things to a nest he was building in my back porch. So I put up a trail camera on it and had some fun. Unfortunately, the nest was half built by the time I set up the cam. Later this afternoon I put out some polyester stuffing from my dog's bed that was coming apart. I figured the wren would find and use it in the nest, and I wasn't disappointed. You can see the big white fluffy stuff he added. I remember one spring when I was plucking a turkey in my back yard. The wren was hoping around gathering feathers as I was working. They also love my dog Molly's long blonde hair. And threads from a tarp that is disintegrating. From what I can tell on the video, they seem to add material to the inside of the nest and then scoot around inside pushing everything outward. If you watch the upper left corner you can see the nest growing in height and thickness. I took some video and photos. It starts out regular speed and then I speed it up. Enjoy! http://www.coueswhitetail.com/video_clips/...ctus_wren_4.wmv Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Cool video, looks like they have alot of time invested in that nest! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ultra300mag Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Very nice video. You missed your calling. Should be filming for an outdoor/wildlife education program. WTG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Thats is great. You sure can get creative. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Cool video, looks like they have alot of time invested in that nest! Cactus Wrens actually make several nests, one for nesting and the others for the male to sleep in when the female is on the other nest. I think this was the secondary nest, the main nest is also on the porch rafter but not in a filmable spot. Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 300ultramag. Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Thats way cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wetmule Report post Posted March 17, 2009 Pretty cool Amanda, They may be more industrious than you know - looks like they've also got it wired to provide heat like an electric blanket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted March 18, 2009 Cool video, looks like they have alot of time invested in that nest! Cactus Wrens actually make several nests, one for nesting and the others for the male to sleep in when the female is on the other nest. I think this was the secondary nest, the main nest is also on the porch rafter but not in a filmable spot. Amanda keep an eye on the nest becouse if the pair raises another clutch they often use one of the other nests the male build, so I'm told. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NRS Report post Posted March 18, 2009 that explains how they can build a nest in cholla and not get impaled Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 18, 2009 wired for heating and cooling....LOL! My neighbor says I shouldn't let them live there because it's a fire hazard. I took the nest down last year or the year before after the season just because of his comments. But the green wire in the video isn't a hot wire, it's just one I used to use to hang a hummingbird feeder. It was coiled up there out of the way for the winter and I hadn't yet put up the hummingbird feeder this year. Looks like I won't be using that wire! The white wire in the video is a hot wire, but I have looked it over and it seems in excellent shape, so not likely to start a fire. The wrens don't peck at it or anything. Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Archer Report post Posted March 20, 2009 Thats cool amanda great job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
