In North America, specifically Ontario, there have been sightings of 11 distinct species of wrens. Among these, 7 can be observed in Ontario. Five of these wren species are regularly seen, while two are accidental visitors. This guide aims to assist you in identifying these wrens based on their appearance and sound.
Throughout the year in Ontario, you can find Carolina Wrens. During the summer season, House Wrens, Winter Wrens, Marsh Wrens, and Sedge Wrens can also be spotted. Additionally, be on the lookout for Rock Wrens and Bewick’s Wrens in Ontario.
Wrens, despite their unremarkable appearance, possess charming personalities. They are relatively small, plump, brown birds with distinctive upright tails and powerful voices.
Wrens belong to the Troglodyidae family of birds and are native to the New World, encompassing North and South America. However, the Eurasian Wren stands apart as an Old World species, inhabiting Europe and Africa.
Due to their diet primarily consisting of insects and spiders, wrens are capable of thriving in diverse environments, including dry and rocky areas with sparse vegetation.
Initially, it was believed that the Winter Wren, Pacific Wren, and Eurasian Wren were the same species, but they have now been recognized as separate entities.
Throughout history, wrens have been associated with folklore and symbolic meanings. In Europe, it was once believed that harming wrens would bring about misfortune.
To aid in identifying wren species in Ontario, this guide refers to avibase and presents the wrens in order of their frequency of sightings, based on bird watchers’ checklists submitted to ebird.
For a helpful resource in identifying various bird species in your backyard, consider obtaining a free bird identification photo guide specific to Ontario.
Ontario is home to the following 7 species of wrens:
1. House Wren
During the breeding season, House Wrens can be found in Ontario and are observed in 19% of summer checklists submitted by bird watchers. Their prevalence is highest from May to October, although a few may remain year-round.
House Wrens are small, round birds with nondescript brown feathers. They possess darker barred wings and tails, along with paler throats. Males and females have similar appearances.
Key features: The eyestripe of House Wrens is less pronounced compared to other wren species.
Scientific name: Troglodytes aedon
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (10-12 g)
Wingspan: 5.9 inches (15 cm)
House Wrens breed in the United States and southern regions of Canada during the summer, and then migrate to the South and Mexico for the winter.
These wrens can be spotted in backyards, parks, and open woods, where they actively forage for insects and spiders. Their energetic behavior includes hopping through foliage with their tails raised while melodiously singing.
Beetles, caterpillars, flies, and even snail shells for calcium constitute the diet of House Wrens.
When it comes to their vocalizations, House Wrens are not known for their tunefulness. Instead, they produce a series of jumbled notes varying in pitch and speed.
House Wren nests are typically found in old woodpecker holes, nest boxes, or other small crevices. They prefer lightly wooded areas and construct their nests using twigs, lining them with softer materials. House Wrens lay 3-10 eggs, with an incubation period of approximately two weeks, and the chicks fledge in another two weeks.
To attract House Wrens to your backyard, consider leaving
brush piles or installing nest boxes.
Interesting fact: House Wrens exhibit a fierce nature despite their small size. They may aggressively challenge larger birds to secure the best nest sites, even displacing eggs or nestlings from their preferred locations.
2. Winter Wren
Winter Wrens appear in 5% of summer checklists in Ontario and are more commonly observed during the breeding season. However, some individuals do remain in Ontario throughout the year.
These plump, small brown birds display darker barring on their wings, tail, and belly. They possess a paler eyebrow stripe and keep their short tails upright. Male and female Winter Wrens have similar appearances.
Winter Wrens share a striking resemblance to Pacific Wrens. Previously, they were considered the same species but are now classified as distinct, primarily due to their unique songs.
Scientific name: Troglodytes hiemalis
Length: 3.1-4.7 inches (8-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (8-12 g)
Wingspan: 4.7-6.3 inches (12-16 cm)
These wrens inhabit the eastern states of the United States during winter and migrate to northeastern US states and Canada for the breeding season.
Look for Winter Wrens concealed within dense undergrowth in forests and backyards. They forage for insects and spiders by rummaging through fallen leaves and decaying bark.
The song of the Winter Wren is long, bubbly, and sweet, lasting up to 10 seconds. It differs from the song of Pacific Wrens.
Winter Wren nests are constructed using twigs, moss, and grass woven together into a rounded shape with a small entrance. They lay 1-9 eggs, and hatching takes around two weeks, followed by a further two or two and a half weeks until the chicks fledge.
To attract Winter Wrens to your backyard, consider planting native vegetation and maintaining dense vegetation.
Interesting fact: Winter Wrens build round nests with a small entrance, often hanging from trees.
3. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are non-migratory birds and remain residents of Ontario throughout the year. They are present in approximately 3% of both summer and winter checklists.
Carolina Wrens display dark brown feathers on their upper body and light brown underneath. They feature a white eyebrow stripe and an upright tail.
Scientific name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Length: 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.6-0.8 ounces (18-22 g)
Wingspan: 11.4 inches (29 cm)
Carolina Wrens can be found year-round across the eastern and southeastern regions of the United States.
These wrens can be spotted in wooded areas or areas with dense vegetation, including backyard spaces. While their primary diet consists of insects and spiders, they occasionally consume lizards, frogs, and snakes.
Carolina Wrens emit short songs composed of quick whistles.
Carolina Wren nests are typically located in trees, although they are not particular and may build nests in various natural or artificial locations. The nests are often circular with a small side entrance. They lay 3-7 eggs, and the incubation period lasts around two weeks, with another two weeks until the chicks fledge.
To attract Carolina Wrens to your backyard, provide suet feeders, hulled sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts using large tube feeders or platform feeders.
Interesting fact: Carolina Wrens form lifelong pairs.
4. Marsh Wren
Marsh Wrens are observed in 3% of summer checklists in Ontario and are most frequently sighted during the breeding season, spanning from May to October.
These wrens exhibit brown plumage with black and white streaks on their back. Their undersides appear grayish brown, and they possess the characteristic upright tail of wrens.
Marsh Wrens lack shoulder stripes and have longer bills compared to Sedge Wrens. Male and female Marsh Wrens share similar appearances.
Scientific name: Cistothorus palustris
Length: 3.9-5.5 inches (10-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.5 ounces (9-14 g)
Wingspan: 5.9 inches (15 cm)
Marsh Wrens breed in the northern states of the United States and central regions of Canada before migrating to southern states and Mexico. During migration, they may be spotted in the eastern United States.
You can find Marsh Wrens clinging to reeds in wetlands, with each foot gripping a different stalk. They may be challenging to spot but listen for their songs among the reeds, particularly during dawn and dusk.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, which they glean from leaves close to the water’s surface.
Marsh Wren songs are distinctive and buzz-like, often lasting for up to 20 minutes.
Marsh Wren nests are fully enclosed, except for a small opening at the top. They are constructed using reeds and grasses woven together. These wrens lay 3-10 eggs, which hatch after around two weeks, followed by two more weeks until the chicks fledge.
Interesting facts: Marsh Wrens may build multiple dummy nests attached to cattails but typically use only one, destroying the eggs and nestlings of rival birds.
5. Sedge Wren
Although not commonly found, Sedge Wrens can be spotted in Ontario during their breeding season, occurring from April to November.
Sedge Wrens exhibit small brown bodies with darker streaks and barring on their upper regions, while their undersides appear paler. They possess a light eyebrow stripe. Male and female Sedge Wrens share similar appearances.
These wrens bear resemblance to Marsh Wrens and inhabit similar wet areas. However, Marsh Wrens lack striped shoulders and possess lighter bellies.
Scientific name: Cistothorus stellaris
Length: 3.9-4.7 inches (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.3 ounces (7-10 g)
Wingspan: 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)
Sedge Wrens breed in southern Canada, the Midwest, and sometimes even further east in the United States. They migrate for the winter and spend the season in southeastern states and northern Mexico, primarily near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
You can find Sedge Wrens hiding amidst wet grasslands, marshy areas, and meadows abundant with vegetation. They tend to prefer shallower areas compared to Marsh Wrens and search for insects and spiders.
Sedge Wren songs consist of a few short notes followed by a similar series of rapid notes at a different pitch.
Sedge Wren nests are cup-shaped and typically situated on rock ledges, old woodpecker nests, nest boxes, or crevices in buildings. They construct nests using sticks and grasses, lining them with softer materials. Sedge Wrens lay 3-8 eggs, and the incubation period lasts around two weeks, with fledging occurring after another two weeks.
Interesting fact: Sedge Wrens exhibit aggressive behavior towards neighboring Sedge Wrens, puncturing their eggs and destroying them.
6. Rock Wren
Rock Wrens are considered accidental species in Ontario, although a few sightings occurred around Glen Robertson in 2021.
These wrens possess pale brown backs with darker flecks. They exhibit barring on their wings
and tail and have pale undersides, with buff coloring on the lower flanks and belly.
Distinctive features include a pale eyebrow stripe, a long slightly curved bill, and dark legs. Male and female Rock Wrens share similar coloring. These wrens tend to bob up and down, especially when agitated, aiding in their identification.
Scientific name: Salpinctes obsoletus
Length: 4.9-5.9 inches (12.5-15 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.6 ounces (15-18 g)
Wingspan: 8.7-9.4 inches (22-24 cm)
Rock Wrens inhabit dry and rocky areas in western states of the United States and southwestern Canada. While those in the south and west remain year-round, those in central states migrate southward for the winter.
Look for Rock Wrens in dry, rocky areas with minimal vegetation. They feed on insects they find in crevices between rocks.
Rock Wren songs are diverse, with individuals knowing over 100 songs. They often repeat the same sound several times before transitioning to a different sound, and each repetition features a different pitch.
Rock Wren nests are typically located on the ground, often in cavities or depressions in rocky areas. They add a layer of small stones followed by softer materials like wool and moss. These wrens may lay up to 8 eggs and have up to 3 broods per year.
Interesting facts: Rock Wrens construct walkways made of stones and other objects leading to their nests, although the purpose remains unknown. Furthermore, they do not drink water but acquire sufficient moisture by consuming insects.
7. Bewick’s Wren
Bewick’s Wrens are considered accidental species in Ontario, with the last recorded sighting occurring around Long Point National Wildlife Area in 2017.
These wrens feature brown-backed bodies with long, gray, upright tails adorned with darker barring. Their bellies appear gray, and they possess a white stripe over the eye.
Scientific name: Thryomanes bewickii
Length: 5.1 inches (13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (8-12 g)
Bewick’s Wrens reside year-round in southern and western states, with some minor movements during winter.
Look for Bewick’s Wrens in scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands, where they hop from branch to branch, flicking their long tails.
Their diet consists of insects and larvae, including bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles.
Bewick’s Wren songs typically begin with a couple of short, higher-pitched notes, followed by lower-pitched buzzy notes.
Bewick’s Wren nests are situated on rock ledges, old woodpecker nests, nest boxes, or crevices in buildings. They construct cup-shaped nests using sticks and grasses, lined with softer materials. These wrens lay 3-8 eggs, which hatch after around two weeks, and the chicks fledge approximately two weeks later.
To attract Bewick’s Wrens to your backyard, provide suet, mealworms, and hulled sunflower seeds.
Interesting fact: Bewick’s Wrens have experienced a decline in the eastern United States, primarily due to the encroachment of House Wrens, which destroy their eggs.
How to Attract Wrens to Your Backyard
To attract wrens to your backyard, consider implementing the following strategies:
1. Embrace a slightly untidy yard, providing habitats for insects and spiders, which serve as wrens’ preferred food source. Leave fallen leaves and brush piles, allowing spiders to weave their webs.
2. Offer clean water sources, preferably with running water, in multiple locations within your backyard.
3. Create nesting sites by installing nest boxes or leaving out old boots that wrens may utilize as nesting spots.
4. Provide appropriate food sources. Wrens readily consume mealworms, crickets, peanuts, and suet.