Question: What small brown bird, a year-round resident, may nest in nooks or unused receptacles around homes and gardens?
Answer: The Carolina Wren.
Males may build up to 10 or 11 different nests in a season and the female then picks the one she likes the best. The Carolina Wren is primarily a cavity nester, and if there is a lack of natural cavities in an area, they will search for suitable substitutes. Nooks and crannies around buildings work in such instances.
People who leave their garage doors open or who have carports may often find a wren building a nest in empty flower pots, behind a shelf of items, and even in an unused baseball mitt. One homeowner had Carolina Wrens nesting inside an upturned kayak that was suspended from his garage ceiling.
An immature Carolina Wren peers out of its nest waiting for a parent to return with food. The bright yellowish spots at the sides of the bill help parents find the mouth inside the dark cavity.