Using direct observations of Buff-breasted Wrens (Thryothorus leucotis), I examined timing and duration of egg laying, the behavior of females and males around the time of laying, and duetting and solo singing on laying and non-laying mornings. When laying, females roosted either alone in breeding nests or with their mates in dormitory nests, and left them on average 3.5 min before sunrise. Females returned to their nests at 18.6 min after sunrise and took 21.1 min to lay their eggs. Almost all females were accompanied by their mates to the nest before laying, most males foraged near the nest during laying, and nearly all pairs re-united shortly after laying. Pairs sang significantly fewer duets and females gave significantly fewer solo songs on laying versus non-laying mornings, while males did not change their solo singing behavior. Singing was not restricted to times when females were off their nests, as some pairs duetted and some males gave solo songs while females were laying. These results suggest that females lay their eggs at a time of day which is unfavorable in terms of duetting, and, in turn, for defence of mates and territories.