Troglodytes aedon
adult
western race
The House Wren is a dumpy-bodied songbird with a needle-like bill. The tail, which is proportionately much longer than in Winter and Pacific wrens, is often cocked up. Subtle subspecies variation occurs across the species’ range. Given this variation, the sexes are similar. Overall, all adults have brown plumage, darkest on the upperparts and with barring on the wings and tail. The face and throat range from buff in eastern birds to gray-buff in western birds. The underparts are otherwise pale with a variable buff suffusion to the breast and flanks, the latter also variably barred dark. On average, eastern birds are a richer brown than western birds, which tend to be grayer overall. Juveniles are similar to their adult counterparts but have a scaly look to the paler face and throat.
The House Wren is present as a breeding species mainly from May to August across the north of its range. At other times of the year, it migrates south and occurs from southern U.S.A. to Mexico. Where summer and winter ranges overlap, the species is present year-round. It nests in treeholes and outbuildings.
adult eastern race
FACT FILE
LENGTH 4.75 in (12 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Wide range of habitats, including woodland, scrub, and gardens
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor, local winter visitor, and very local resident
VOICE Song is an accelerating series of raspy trills, ending in a flourish. Call is a rasping tche
