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Big Song, Modest Birds: The Wrens of the U.S.
A bird that sings loud but is humble in appearance? It might be a wren.
And what do wrens look like? How do you attract them?
Read on!
How Do You Attract a Wren?
You don't attract wrens by offering seed in a feeder, as wrens eat insects, spiders, and other invertebrates.
However, you can attract wrens with nestboxes. Some wrens will nest in anything -- nestboxes or even an old box in the garage.
You can a buy a commercial nestbox like these:
- Eco-Friendly Wren House (Hanging)
- Wren in the Wind Birdhouse (Hanging)
- Wren Joy Box Bird House (Wall-mounted)
You can also build your own wren house with free birdhouse plans like these:
Note: an entrance hole larger than 1 1/8 inch may allow sparrows to nest, not wrens.
Is it A Wren?
The 8 species of wren in North America sing loudly for their small size. They have a flat head and curved beak, with short wings a tail, slighty long, cocked above the line of the body.
You'll find them hopping quickly around in dense shrubs or lower branches, sometimes foraging on the ground near cover, in backyards and city parks.
The more common wrens will nest in just about anything, from nestboxes to hanging baskets to that old box in the garage.
Common Wrens
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
This energetic wren is a muted brown and has darker barring on tail and wings. It's about 5" in length, with a 6" wingspan.
You can find this wren in spring and summer in most of North America.
Carolina Wren Tryothorus ludovicianus
Sensitive to cold weather, the Carolina wren is found mostly int the Southeastern U.S., with some populations in the Eastern U.S. depending on how cold the winters have been.
The Carolina wren is perhaps the loudest of the North American wrens. It's buffy in color, with rusty underparts and white slash on its head over the eye. It has a write throat.
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
This wren is not only found in most of North America, but also in Europe, Asia, and north Africa.
It's very small and dark brown overall. You'll find it more often in coniferous forests, in areas with fallen logs and dead wood.
The Winter Wren will build several nests over a season, and may roost in groups in cold weather.
Other Wrens
- Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickki -- found in the West
- Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris -- found in marshes and swamplands across the country
- Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus -- a gray wren favoring rocky areas in the West
- Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus -- broad body, white throat; musical whistles; dry canyonlands of the West
- Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis -- marshes in the East
