Northern House Wren
Troglodytes aedon · Wrens
The Northern House Wren is a small, energetic songbird known for its plain brown plumage and remarkably loud, bubbling song. These active birds are common in human-modified landscapes across North America, often nesting in cavities around homes. Their scientific name, *Troglodytes aedon*, translates to "cave-dwelling nightingale," referencing their cavity-nesting habits and persistent vocalizations.
Explore the full field guideMigratorySmall sizeBubbly songInsectivorous
3 calls·first heard Jul 6·last 65d ago
When it's heardpeak 11a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- A small, plain brown bird with a generally uniform brownish-gray appearance, though eastern populations can be darker and more rufescent, while western birds are paler and grayer.
- Possesses a faint, often indistinct, pale eyebrow line and a thin eye-ring, without prominent striping on the crown.
- Has a long, thin bill with a blackish upper mandible and a black-tipped yellowish or pale gray lower mandible. Legs are pinkish or gray.
- Exhibits blackish barring on the wings and tail, and sometimes on the flanks. The short tail is typically held cocked upwards.