Wrens (Troglodytidae)

     A couple of weeks ago Joanne Noragon asked me if I would publish some pictures of wrens, and I am happy to oblige.

     I suspect that Joanne's interest is principally in wrens she may have seen in North America, so I am dealing only with those species. There are some species for which I do not have photographs (Sedge Wren, for example) so they are of necessity left out of this list.

     This coverage is limited to one image and brief accompanying notes, and the species are listed in current taxonomic sequence.

     If you have a burning desire for more pictures, Joanne, or greater detail, please let me know. 

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

Cactus Wren, Tucson, AZ

     The largest wren in North America, Cactus Wren is a characteristic and conspicuous part of the southwestern desert from southern Arizona, southern Nevada, southern New Mexico and Texas through Mexico from Baja California, eastwards to Tamaulipas and south to Sinaloa and the central Mexican plateau to Michoacán and Hildago.

     Over much of its range it is common or abundant.

     Typically builds a large, bulky nest, usually in cholla cacti. Three to five eggs usual, occasionally up to seven.

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)

Rock Wren, Tuzigoot National Monument, AZ

     A characteristic and cheerful feature of the fauna of arid or semi-arid areas of western North America, often inhabiting dry rocky areas where few other birds are found.

     Constructs nest in cavities or rock piles. Nests are made of grasses, straw or rootlets and lined with horsehair, feathers or sheep's wool.

     Usual clutch is five to six eggs, rarely four to eight.

Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus)

Canyon Wren, Montezuma Castle National Monument, AZ

     An unusual species confined to cliffs and canyons in semi-arid or desert country, from Canada to southern Mexico. The song, a beautiful series of clear descending whistles, is a characteristic sound of the south-west canyonlands. 

     Nests are built by both sexes, usually in crevices in rock faces or cliffs. Nest is an open cup of wool, hair and feathers, built on a base of coarse twigs.

     Usually six eggs, sometimes three to seven. Incubation by female alone.

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)

Marsh Wren, Victoria, BC

     An abundant and conspicuous resident of cattail and bulrush habitat throughout most of North America.

     Polygamous species, male builds as many as twenty domed nests in a season. Female inspects the nests, selects one and lines it with fine leaves, feathers and/or down from cattail heads.

     Typically four to six eggs laid, sometimes three to ten. Incubation by female alone.

Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

Bewick's Wren, Victoria, BC

     A widespread and well-liked species over much of the western parts of the United States and British Columbia, frequently found in close association with man.

     Often nests in woodpecker holes, various crannies, takes readily to nest boxes and has even been know to breed in abandoned automobiles.

     Nest made of twigs, grasses, rootlets, leaf skeletons etc., frequently lined with bits of snake skins. Eggs three to eight, average clutch size 5.6. Incubation by female only, fed on nest by male.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

Carolina Wren, Burlington, ON

     The only member of the genus Thryothorus to occur north of the Mexican border. Familiar and conspicuous over much of eastern North America. Has colonized and spread in southern Ontario in recent years.

     Year-round territories are maintained by a pair of birds. Nest is a substantial domed structure of dried vegetation, grass, strips of bark, horsehair, various debris such as string or wool, cast snake skins, lined with finer material. Clutch size usually three to six eggs depending on latitude.

Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis)

Winter Wren, St. Agatha, ON

     In North America found from Newfoundland, Maritimes and Maine, south in mountains to Georgia, westwards across Québec and Ontario to British Columbia and Alaska, Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, western United States to central California, Idaho and western Montana.

     Nest is a domed structure of grass, fine leaves, moss etc., lined with feathers and hair, with a side entrance, built primarily by the male with female completing interior. Eggs three to nine, usually five to eight.

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)

House Wren, Waterloo, ON

     The most widely distributed and recognizable wren in North America. Readily associates with man and accepts nesting boxes, even in densely populated suburban areas.

     Nests are always filled with a base of coarse twigs to within 2 - 3 centimetres from the top. The female finishes the stick platform and builds a cup lined with feathers, hair or wool. Eggs four to eight, rarely three to ten. Incubation by female only, fed by male.

Reference

Wrens, Dipper and Thrashers, David Brewer, illustrated by Barry Kent MacKay, Yale University Press (2001).