What do Wrens eat ?

[demicav]

We get a few Wrens visiting the garden. They're lovely little Birds and I love seeing them but I wondered why they never visit the feeders. I've just been watching one outside and it was sat on the shed next to the feeders but took no notice of them. So I was wondering what they usually eat ? Sorry if this has been asked before.

[wildliferescuer]

Wrens are insectivores so are not seen on seed or nut feeders, They eat all sorts of spiders, flies & other insects.

[Susie]

Yep to the above. I've been watching a little wren hopping around the undergrowth in the garden this morning picking off the insects. It's another good reason for growing plants that support plenty of insect life, I get goldcrests and long tailed tits doing the same thing.

[Hedge Witch]

They seem to love ivy on walls and garden structures.

They are lovely little birds and my heart misses a beat every time I see one.

[Helo]

You can give the wrens a helping hand during winter, by throwing out some live mealworms, they love them. Spread the mealworms around on the ground, to give the wren a chance to take some before the larger birds eat them all.

[Hedge Witch]

Hi Helo - good idea, do they have to be live?

[demicav]

Thanks for the quick replies and the advice. I guess that explains why they bypass the feeders.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

Hi Helo - good idea, do they have to be live?

I was thinking that myself. Also where would I buy live mealworms from ? I only ever see the dried ones for sale.

[Helo]

Live mealworms are usually available through your local petshop. If not, purchase them online at livefoodsdirect.co.uk

I pay £8.00 for 500g (1lb) in weight. You can also buy small boxes of them, but these are quite expensive. At this time of the year, they tend not to wriggle around too much, due to the cool weather. If you store them in a cool area such as in the shed/garage, they will last for several weeks. Pop them in a large bowl or plastic tub, or something similar. You can, if you are feeling generous, place a slice of apple in the bowl, the worms love it.

Oops, I forgot to mention, it's best to buy the 'regular' size mealworms. Have a look at the website I mentioned above, they usually deliver straight away.

[wildliferescuer]

This is right, they will last for ages if kept in a cool place. Ours are kept in bran & we put fresh slices of apple in every day as well as cuttlefish which they love. Dried mealworms are a waste of money as they are literally just the outer skins & have no goodness in them at all. Not many birds will eat them either.