Although the Carolina wren is considered to be a cavity nesting bird I must confess I have never found a Carolina wren nest in a natural cavity or nesting box.  In fact, when it comes to Carolina wren nests, I have learned to expect the unexpected.

        I have found Carolina wrens nesting in my well house, beneath the cover of a propane tank as well as in a cardboard box sitting on a shelf in my garage.  Others have discovered Carolina wren nests is strange places too.

        For example, their nests have been located among the rocks of  stonewalls, clothespin bags, hanging baskets, open paper bags, mailboxes, buckets, as well as in old hats and shoes.

        One year Carolina wrens nesting in North Carolina chose as their nesting site a Jeep Wrangler.  They constructed their nest where a shock absorber was attached to the frame of the vehicle.  What makes this nesting so fascinating is the fact the vehicle made three trips before the nest was discovered.

        Carolina wrens apparently have no problem nesting in vehicles that are driven about.  Decades before the famous Georgia ornithologist, Thomas Burleigh reported that, in 1928, a pair of Carolina wrens nesting in Athens chose as their nesting site a touring car.  The vehicle was left near a sawmill for two days.  During this time, the wrens began building their nest beneath the hood of the car.  When the car was driven away and returned the next morning, the unperturbed birds resumed construction of their nest.

        If you have never located a Carolina wren nest on your property, perhaps you have been looking in the wrong places.  This year focus your search on places you would never expect a self-respecting wren to nest and you just might find the nest that has been eluding you for so long.  

        Good luck!