House Wren Nest-Destroying Behavior

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Abstract
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) nest-destroying behavior was studied by experimentally offering 38 wrens nests with eggs (or nestlings) throughout the nesting season. Individuals of both sexes pecked all six types of eggs presented, regardless of the nest type and location. House Wrens also attacked conspecific young. Older nestlings (nine days old) were less vulnerable than three-day-old young. Our results suggest that nest-destroying behavior is inherent in all adult House Wrens but is inhibited in mated males and breeding females. It is suggested that nest destruction may have evolved as an interference mechanism reducing intra- and interspecific competition.

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