Anyone keeping wrens?

[ecogreen]

I broached the subject of keeping wrens in the orchard with my husband and he actually sounded enthusiastic So give me the low down!! How hard are they to get your hands on? I have probably got about 18 months before the orchard would be completely set up and in a state that I would say it will be ready for something like wrens. I found and old petlink post advertising a single cock superb for $60 is this about right or is that on the cheap side? I'd be wanting a colony basically so I'd probably be looking at starting out with 4 unrelated pairs, does that sound sensible? Anything else I should take into account when building my enclosure? Do I need to keep other finches beforehand to show that I have the knowledge when applying for my bird licence? I have a uni degree in conservation biology which included study in captive animal population management(main studies around helmetted honeyeaters at healesville sanctuary) so I have the theory and I've been a parrot keeper for a long time.

[desertbirds]

Sent you a pm.

[Tintola]

Wrens are extremely territorial (as are most softbills). Even if the orchard /aviary was around one acre you could keep one pair of only one species in an area that size. They will tollerate their young ones and live in a small colony for the current breeding season but their natural biology dictates that they evict (or kill ) all but one or two young ones, to help with the new clutches, once the new breeding season begins. You could keep other genera of wrens (scrubwrens, emu wrens) in the same enclosure, but no other Fairy Wrens(upright tail and especially if both species have blue in the plumage.) The good news is that they would keep the fruit trees somewhat insect free.
The cots of the cheapest species ( Superb Blue Wren) is usually about $100 -$150 per pair. Other species such as Splendid and Variegated and White Winged can be up to $350 per pair and Red backed can be up to $600 per pair.

[ecogreen]

Thanks Tintola, that's a great help. Would they get along OK with waxbills or gouldians? Thinking maybe a single pair of superbs or splendids(I like the blue ) and then a small flock of OB waxbills or gouldians for a bit of colour and interest. I'll look into the other wrens you suggested too, are scrub wrens and emu wrens relatively easy to come across or would they be harder to find?

[Tintola]

Thanks Tintola, that's a great help. Would they get along OK with waxbills or gouldians? Thinking maybe a single pair of superbs or splendids(I like the blue ) and then a small flock of OB waxbills or gouldians for a bit of colour and interest. I'll look into the other wrens you suggested too, are scrub wrens and emu wrens relatively easy to come across or would they be harder to find?

They would get along fine with any finches although I have had trouble with a Superb Wrens killing Cordons (it's a blue aversion thing) The other two species would be a lot harder to find and might be a bit expensive (esp the Emu Wrens)

[arthur]

I've posted this many times before . . and while many still disagree . . I will post it again . . .

If you keep wrens with ANY other species of bird . . sooner or later the wrens will be the ONLY occupants of that aviary

I have seen Superbs bred in a small suspended 2m(L) x 1m(W) x 1.5(H) , provided with more than adequate livefood with a night light nearby . . while I don't really think that this was fair on the wrens, they must have thought that it was OK

For beginners with them, I would recommend an on ground planted aviary about 6m x 2m x 2m as a minimum as they will find a lot of unseen insect life at floor level

Obviously the larger the better . . but 1 pair of wrens only

[ecogreen]

Thanks for your reply Arthur, the 'aviary' we are talking about will be approximately 20m X 30m in size which is probably why many seemed to think that keeping other species would be less of an issue. Just wondering whether your thoughts on keeping more than one species change considering that or whether you would still advise against keeping nothing else? This will not be happening for atleast 18 months so maybe that gives you an idea of the amount of thought and research I intend to put into the decision of what species I will be introducing, I am a conservation ecologist by training so getting the set up working well is high on my agenda.

Regards
'Erin

[arthur]

I think that it is a security 'thing' with the wrens which may be triggered by a perceived lack of live food which may in turn be brought about by weather . . too much rain or a sudden sustained cold snap which causes insect life to 'go to ground' rather than a 'colour' issue . . If you think about it, the 'blue' of a cordon/ bluecap is quite dissimilar from that of the wrens . . in fact I kept wrens with bluecaps for a long time with a pair of pekin robins without issue, before the cock robin fell victim to the wrens after 2 or 3 days of a 'cold snap' . . and this was in an 18 x 3m planted section . . when a $50 bird kills a $2K bird (for 'no reason') you do sit up and take notice . . and it has happened to other 'non-blue' finches

30 x 20m may well avoid the insecurity, possibly permanently but I would consider the threat to remain a real one

Others have had no problems but be assured it is an accident waiting to happen

[ecogreen]

Thanks Arthur, I'll definately keep that in mind when I make my final decisions, it may be that I split the orchard down the middle and give the wrens half and the others half or somethig like that.

[Pete Sara]

my question to you eco is, are their any local ones around , you will need a lot of cover for the hen as i made a big mistake and lost a hen in a holding cage, the male was trying to get at the ones tormenting him from the outside, as he was unsucessfull he turned his aggression to his mate. i never had this problem till i moved , i had him for around 3 years and not a peep out if him , till i moved here , i have about 20 on a given day, he also successfully starved two blue scarlets buy stopping them from feeding , they are one of natures beautifull creatures to look at and at the same time one of the most deadilest assassins....i do recommend you try them but be prepeared.....pete