Winter Wren
Troglodytes troglodytes

Migratory Status: Short-distance migrant

PIF Population Estimate: 18 000 000

Percent of western hemisphere population breeding in boreal forest: <25%

BAM Effective Detection Radius (m) : 87.73

PIF Maximum Detection Distance (m) : 125

Canadian BBS Population trend: 1.5 n.s. (-0.3 to 3.3)

Life History

Old growth and mature conifer forests are where you will likely hear this powerful singer, the Winter Wren. Males broadcast their complex songs, a rapid fusion of notes that lasts between 5-10 seconds, from high, exposed perches, where you can catch a glimpse of this forest bird if you are lucky. When they are not singing, Winter Wrens spend much of their time hopping along the forest floor, searching for invertebrates or new nest sites, often near streams, in snags, and along downed logs, which also provide cover.

The wren family originated in the Americas. The Winter Wren is the only species out of 78 that occurs outside of the New World), having a holarctic distribution. In North America, Winter Wrens are found from sea level to over 3 000 m in elevation. Their breeding range extends from southern coastal Alaska eastward across the boreal forest to the Maritime Provinces, and they favour conifer forests with complex groundcover. Southward, the breeding range extends down the west coast to northern California, and parts of Idaho and Montana. On the east coast, Winter Wrens breed throughout the Great Lakes and the southern Appalachian mountains.

Most populations of Winter Wrens over-winter in the United States along the Pacific coast from Washington to southern California, and in the east from New England to Florida. Some populations remain year-round in coastal areas of Alaska and British Columbia, as well as in parts of southwestern Alberta. Not all populations are migratory, and in resident populations, males will defend territories year-round, although territory size usually shrinks in the winter.

Winter Wrens are the smallest wren species in North America. They are uniformly dark brown birds that have a slightly paler eyebrow and throat, with dark barring on their wings, tail, and vent. Their bill is thin and pointed, and their tail is short, stubby, and is often held in a cocked position, especially when males are vocalizing. Males and females look alike. The size and colour of this species varies geographically in North America, and in combination with variations in their song and call, it has been suggested that three distinct groups containing 9 to12 subspecies exist in North America. There are probably more than 35 subspecies across the entire range of the species.

Reference(s)

Hejl, S. J., J. A. Holmes, and D. E. Kroodsma. 2002. Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), The Birds of North America Online, . A. Poole, Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Retrieved from The Birds of North America Online database: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/623