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Platte River Status: An abundant migrant and common (locally abundant) nesting species. Occurrence dates from the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, range from 20 April to 11 October. Tout (1947) considered house wren a common summer resident in Lincoln County, stating that it was more common in North Platte and in the timbered regions along the river, than in areas outside the river valley. Rosche (1979) reported house wren from the lower North Platte River Valley during 23 April to 8 October.

Breeding Range: A common (locally abundant) and widespread nesting species within the Platte River Valley physiographic region; locally common on the Eastern Plain and Dissected Plain. Fairly common and local on the Western Plain; uncommon and local in the Sandhills where distribution is limited by the availability of nest sites.

Breeding Population: The population in 1979-1980 was estimated at 45,000 nesting pairs. House wren made up 1.5% of the total breeding bird numbers in the study area those years.

Habitat: We found the highest mean nesting density in shelterbelts (153.2 pairs/km²), followed by lowland forest (61.5 pairs/km²), residential (14.0 pairs/km²), river channel island (9.7 pairs/km²), and upland prairie (0.2 pairs/km²). House wrens nest in natural tree cavities, and readily accept artificial houses. Rising (1974) reported highest nesting densities in western Kansas in riparian woodlands and thickets. House wrens in western North Dakota wooded draws reached maximum densities in brushy undergrowth along the margins of the wooded vegetation (Faanes 1983). Faanes and Andrew (1983) found the largest nesting densities of house wren in northeastern North Dakota in mature lowland forest. Stewart (1975) described house wren nesting habitat across North Dakota as upland and floodplain deciduous woodland, lakeshore forest, and east-or-north-facing slopes on river bluffs and escarpments.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: House wren has benefited from de-watering of the Platte River system and the subsequent encroachment of wooded vegetation within the river channel. The large nesting densities found in shelterbelts and residential habitats are indicative of the positive impact that establishment of forest habitats has had on this species.

Nesting Data: We have seven confirmed nesting records for the study area including one with nestlings present on 19 August. Tout (1947) found a nest in Lincoln County that contained three eggs on 29 May 1938. Johnsgard (1979) reported that Kansas egg dates extend from 11 April to 31 July.