In the North American region of Montana, there exist a total of 11 distinct species of wrens, with 9 of them being observed within the state. Among these, 5 wren species are regularly present, while 4 are considered accidental visitors. The purpose of this guide is to aid you in identifying these wrens based on their appearance and unique vocalizations.
Throughout the year in Montana, you can find Canyon Wrens. However, during the summer season, House Wrens, Marsh Wrens, Rock Wrens, and Pacific Wrens also make an appearance. Additionally, there are other wren species worth keeping an eye out for in Montana, such as Sedge Wrens, Bewick’s Wrens, Carolina Wrens, and Winter Wrens.
Wrens, despite their unassuming appearance, are songbirds with notable personalities. These brown, relatively small, and pleasantly plump birds possess upright tails and emit distinctive melodic calls.
Wrens belong to the Troglodyidae family, which consists of New World birds inhabiting the Americas, excluding the Eurasian Wren found in Europe and Africa.
The diet of wrens mainly comprises insects and spiders, allowing them to thrive in diverse environments, including arid and rocky areas with limited vegetation.
Previously, it was believed that the Winter Wren, Pacific Wren, and Eurasian Wren were the same species. However, they have now been recognized as separate species.
Historically, wrens have held symbolic significance and folklore associations. In Europe, it was believed that harming wrens would bring about misfortune.
This guide is designed to facilitate the identification of wren species in Montana, using the avibase as a reference. The wrens in this list are ordered according to their frequency of sightings, as reported by bird watchers and submitted to ebird.
If you wish to identify numerous bird species, including wrens, that frequent your backyard, you can obtain a free bird identification photo guide specifically tailored to Montana.
The following are the 9 species of wrens found in Montana:
1. House Wren
House Wrens spend the breeding season in Montana and are present in 18% of summer checklists submitted by local bird watchers. Their sightings extend from April to October.
House Wrens are small, unremarkable birds with round bodies and brown plumage. They possess darker barred wings and tails, as well as paler throats. Males and females have similar appearances.
Notable feature: The eyestripe is less prominent in comparison 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)
During the summer, House Wrens breed in the United States and southern Canada before migrating to warmer regions in the South and Mexico for the winter.
You can find House Wrens in residential areas, parks, and open woodlands, where they actively search for insects and spiders. They often hop energetically among low branches and tangled foliage, with their tails held upright while emitting their cheerful songs.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, including beetles, caterpillars, flies, and even snail shells for calcium.
When it comes to vocalizations, House Wrens may not possess tuneful melodies, but they compensate with frequent, rapid, and changing notes.
2. Marsh Wren
Marsh Wrens can be observed in Montana during the breeding season, accounting for 5% of summer checklists. Although many migrate south for the winter, some individuals can be found year-round.
Marsh Wrens have brown plumage with distinctive black and
white streaks on their backs. Their undersides appear grayish-brown, and they exhibit the characteristic upright tail common among wrens.
Distinguishing feature: Unlike Sedge Wrens, Marsh Wrens lack stripes on their shoulders and possess longer bills. Males and females share a similar appearance.
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 US and central Canada, migrating to southern states and Mexico. Some individuals along the western coast and Atlantic Coast may remain in their respective areas throughout the year. Their migration can be observed in the eastern regions of the US.
You can find Marsh Wrens in wetland habitats, clinging to reeds with each foot gripping a separate stalk. Although they may be challenging to spot, listen carefully for their songs emanating from the reeds, especially during dawn and dusk.
Their diet consists of insects and spiders, which they gather by picking them off leaves close to the water’s surface.
When it comes to vocalizations, Marsh Wrens produce a distinct buzzing song that can last for up to 20 minutes.
3. Rock Wren
During the summer season, Rock Wrens are observed in 2% of checklists in Montana. They begin arriving as early as March and may remain until December, with the optimal months for sightings being May through September.
Rock Wrens possess pale brown plumage with darker flecks on their backs. They exhibit barring on their wings and tail, with pale undersides that feature buff coloring on the lower flanks and belly.
Distinctive features: Rock Wrens have a pale eyebrow stripe, long slightly curved bills, and dark legs. Both males and females share similar coloring. Rock Wrens are known for their characteristic bobbing movements, particularly when agitated, which aids 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 primarily inhabit dry and rocky areas in the western US states and southwestern Canada. While some individuals in southern and western regions remain throughout the year, those in central US states migrate south for the winter.
You can find Rock Wrens in dry and rocky environments with limited vegetation. They feed on insects that they locate within crevices in the rocks.
When it comes to vocalizations, Rock Wrens are known to have a repertoire of over 100 songs, with each song being repeated several times before transitioning to a different sound. Their songs vary in pitch each time.
4. Pacific Wren
Although some Pacific Wrens can be spotted throughout the year, they are more commonly observed during the breeding season in Montana, appearing in 1% of summer checklists.
Pacific Wrens have brown plumage with darker barring on their wings, tail, and belly. They possess a paler eyebrow stripe and short tails that remain upright. Both males and females share similar appearances.
Distinctive feature: Pacific Wrens are the smallest wren species in the United States.
Scientific name: Troglodytes pacificus
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)
Pacific Wrens are primarily found along the West Coast, spanning from Alaska to California. Individuals residing along the coast tend to remain in the region throughout the year, while those in inland regions of Canada migrate south for the winter.
You can find Pacific Wrens on the forest floor, concealed within dense foliage, fallen leaves, and decaying logs. Their diet mainly consists of insects, spiders, flies, and bees.
When it comes to vocalizations, Pacific Wrens emit a long, jumbled song comprising multiple fast, high-pitched notes.
5. Canyon Wren
Canyon Wrens, although not exceedingly common, do not migrate and can be observed in Montana throughout the year.
These stocky brown wrens feature white throats and lighter barred tails. Their heads exhibit a more grayish-brown hue with speckles. Additionally, they possess short and robust legs, enabling them to cling to rocks. Males and females have similar appearances.
Distinctive features: While Canyon Wrens inhabit similar rocky areas as Rock Wrens, they can be distinguished by their white throats and dark bellies.
Scientific name: Catherpes mexicanus
Length: 4.5-6.1 inches (11.4-15.4 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.7 ounces (9.9-18.3 g)
Wingspan: 7.1-7.9 inches (18-20 cm)
Canyon Wrens are primarily found in the western regions, ranging from southern British Columbia to Mexico. They do not partake in migratory behaviors.
You can find Canyon Wrens in rocky habitats, where they forage for insects and spiders hidden within crevices. Their short, strong legs enable them to cling to rocks and even scale vertical rocky cliffs.
When it comes to vocalizations, Canyon Wrens produce a distinctive descending song that slows down and concludes with raspy notes.
6. Sedge Wren
Sedge Wrens are considered accidental species in Montana, but they can occasionally be observed in the northeastern parts of the state. The most recent sighting occurred in 2020.
Sedge Wrens are small brown wrens with darker upper plumage featuring streaks and barring. Their undersides appear paler, and they possess a small light eyebrow stripe. Males and females share similar appearances.
Sedge Wrens closely resemble 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 occasionally further east in the US. They migrate south for the winter, spending it in southeastern states and northern Mexico, predominantly near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
You can find Sedge Wrens hidden in wet grasslands, marshy areas, and meadows characterized by abundant vegetation. They tend to prefer shallower areas compared to Marsh Wrens, and their diet consists of insects and spiders.
When it comes to vocalizations, Sedge Wrens produce a simple song comprising a few short notes followed by a series of more rapid notes at a similar pitch.
7. Bewick’s Wren
Bewick’s Wrens are classified as accidental species in Montana, but they were recently spotted around Missoula in 2022.
These brown-backed birds exhibit long gray upright tails with darker barring. They possess gray bellies and a white stripe extending 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 in southern and western states throughout the year, with occasional small movements during winter.
You can find Bewick’s Wrens in scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands, where they hop from branch to branch while flicking their long tails. They primarily feed on insects and larvae, including bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles.
When it comes to vocalizations, Bewick’s Wrens initiate their songs with a couple of short, higher-pitched notes, followed by lower-pitched buzzy notes.
8. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are exceptionally rare in Montana and are considered accidental species. Their last sighting occurred around Arlee in 2010.
Carolina Wrens display dark brown plumage on top and light brown undersides. They possess 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 reside year-round in Eastern and Southeastern states.
You can find Carolina Wrens in wooded areas or densely vegetated regions, and they may visit backyard feeders. Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, but they may occasionally consume lizards, frogs, and snakes.
When it comes to vocalizations, Carolina Wrens emit a very short song consisting of quick whistles.
9. Winter Wren
Winter Wrens are extremely rare in Montana but have been acknowledged by the Montana Bird Records Committee as rare or accidental species within the state.
Winter Wrens are small, plump brown birds with darker barring on their wings, tail, and belly. They possess a paler eyebrow stripe and short tails that remain upright. Both males and females share similar appearances.
Winter Wrens closely resemble Pacific Wrens, and they were initially considered the same species. However, they are now recognized as distinct species due to their different 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)
Winter Wrens primarily inhabit eastern US states during winter and northeastern US states and Canada during summer.
You can find Winter Wrens concealed within tangled undergrowth in forests and backyards. They forage for insects and spiders by rummaging through fallen leaves and decaying bark.
When it comes to vocalizations, Winter Wrens emit a long, bubbly, and sweet song that is slower than the songs of Pacific Wrens, lasting up to 10 seconds.
Attracting Wrens to Your Backyard
Having wrens visit your backyard provides the opportunity to enjoy their beautiful songs and observe their energetic behavior. While only a few wren species regularly frequent backyards, such as House Wrens, Carolina Wrens, and Bewick’s Wrens, you can attract them by implementing the following ideas:
1. Maintain some natural habitat: Avoid excessive tidiness in your yard, leaving fallen leaves, brush piles, and spider webs to provide habitats for insects and spiders, which constitute wrens’ preferred food sources.
2. Provide clean water: Consider installing sources of clean, preferably running water in multiple locations within your backyard.
3. Offer nesting sites: Wrens readily utilize nest boxes, or they may even repurpose old boots left out in youryard.
4. Provide suitable food: Wrens will consume mealworms, crickets, peanuts, suet, and hulled sunflower seeds. Incorporate these food sources to attract them.
5. Pay attention to frequency: Keep in mind that different wren species display varying levels of frequency in their visits to backyards.
Frequent Wren Sightings in Summer and Winter in Montana
Checklists compiled by bird watchers and submitted to ebird provide valuable insights into the most commonly observed wren species. The following percentages represent the frequency of wren sightings during summer and winter in Montana:
Wrens in Montana in Summer:
– House Wren: 18.7%
– Marsh Wren: 5.4%
– Rock Wren: 2.9%
– Pacific Wren: 1.6%
– Canyon Wren: 0.6%
– Sedge Wren: 0.1%
– Carolina Wren: <0.1%
– Bewick’s Wren: <0.1%
Wrens in Montana in Winter:
– Marsh Wren: 0.4%
– Pacific Wren: 0.3%
– Canyon Wren: 0.3%
– Bewick’s Wren: <0.1%
– Rock Wren: <0.1%