This very small gray-brown bird has few distinguishing marks save for a subtly barred pattern on back, tail, and sides; faint eye stripe and eye ring; and slightly downward curved beak.
Its bubbling song, rising and falling in a cascade of full-throated and loud notes, is the house wren’s trademark. This species prefers insect food and forages on the ground and in low shrubs. Its flight is fluttery and low. Despite its small size it can be quite aggressive.
What brings it to the SBG?
Food, cover, nesting sites. The House Wren prefers thickets of low vegetation for food seeking and cover. It is a cavity nester and will not only find natural cavities, but may use nest boxes or even old cans. In Summer 2014 a pair of House Wrens nested in one of the SBG bluebird boxes.
When can I see it?
Spring, summer, fall. In winter the House Wren migrates mostly to the southern US.