For many people, one of their favorite sounds of summer is the clear, loud, bubbling notes of the house wren. The full-throated song is like the syllables "tsi, tsi, tsi, tsi, oodle, oodle, oodle," the pitch rising at the beginning, falling at the end. Through our screen windows, we listen to the gurgling song repeated over and over in our yards.
These wrens also give out chattering, scolding notes. At this time, in early July, the young may still be in backyard nest boxes and the adult pair busy bringing in the insect and spider food. Two broods of five to eight young can be expected each summer. The second nestings typically occur between the first part of July and mid-August. After the nesting season we no longer hear the house wren music.
Despite its tiny size, about 4 1/2 to 5 inches, and its drab gray-brown plumage, the house wren is as well known as the American robin, for what it lacks in size and color is made up for with voice and energetic activity.
