In North America, there have been sightings of 11 different wren species, and Minnesota has been home to 7 of these species. Among the Minnesota wrens, 5 are commonly found throughout the year, while 2 are accidental visitors. This guide aims to assist you in identifying these wrens based on their appearance and vocalizations.
Throughout the year in Minnesota, you can spot Carolina Wrens. During the summer months, House Wrens, Sedge Wrens, and Marsh Wrens are present. Winter Wrens can be seen during their migration period. Additionally, keep an eye out for Rock Wrens and Bewick’s Wrens in Minnesota.
Wrens are modest-looking songbirds with charming personalities. They possess a brown coloration, relatively small size, and plump bodies. Notably, they have upright tails and emit distinctive melodious calls.
Wrens belong to the Troglodyidae family and are native to the New World, encompassing North and South America, with the exception of the Eurasian Wren, which resides in Europe and Africa.
Due to their diet primarily consisting of insects and spiders, wrens can thrive in diverse environments, including dry and rocky areas with minimal vegetation.
Previously, it was believed that Winter Wrens were the same species as Pacific Wrens and Eurasian Wrens. However, they have now been recognized as three distinct species.
Throughout history, wrens have held symbolic meanings in folklore. In Europe, it was believed that killing wrens would bring misfortune.
To assist you in identifying wren species in Minnesota, this guide follows the avibase order. The wrens are listed based on their frequency of sightings, from the most common to the least common, as reported by birdwatchers in Minnesota using ebird checklists.
To aid in bird identification in Minnesota, you can obtain a free photo guide specifically designed for the region, focusing on the birds that visit your backyard.
7 Wren Species in Minnesota:
1. House Wren
During the summer, House Wrens are the most frequently observed wrens in Minnesota, recorded in 24% of submitted checklists by birdwatchers. They can be seen from April to early November.
House Wrens are small, unremarkable birds with round brown bodies, darker wings and tails with barring, and a lighter throat. Both males and females exhibit the same appearance.
Notable feature: The eyestripe is less prominent compared to other wren species.
Scientific name: Troglodytes aedon
Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (10-12 g)
Wingspan: 5.9 in (15 cm)
House Wrens breed in the United States and southern Canada during the summer months, and then migrate to the southern regions and Mexico for winter.
You can find House Wrens in backyards, parks, and open woodlands, actively searching for insects and spiders. They are often seen energetically hopping through branches with their tails held upright, occasionally pausing to sing their cheerful songs.
House Wrens feed on insects and spiders, including beetles, caterpillars, flies, and even snail shells for calcium.
House Wren songs consist of a series of disjointed notes varying in pitch and speed, rather than a melodious tune.
House Wrens build their nests in old woodpecker holes, nest boxes, or other small crevices. They prefer lightly wooded areas and construct their nests using twigs and lining them with softer materials. They lay 3-10 eggs, which take approximately two weeks to hatch, and the chicks fledge in another two weeks.
To attract House Wrens to your backyard, create brush piles or install nest boxes.
Interesting fact: Despite their small size, House Wrens are known for their fierce behavior. They often confront larger birds to secure the best nest holes, sometimes even removing eggs or nestlings from the occupied sites they desire.
2. Sedge Wren
Sedge Wrens breed in Minnesota during the summer season and are observed in 5% of checklists during this time. They arrive as early as April and may stay until November, with the optimal spotting months being May to October.
Sedge Wrens are small brown birds with darker upperparts, streaks, and barring, as well as paler underparts. They possess a faint light eyebrow stripe. Males and females exhibit similar characteristics.
Sedge Wrens resemble Marsh Wrens and are often found in similar wet habitats. However, Marsh Wrens lack striped shoulders and have lighter-colored bellies.
Scientific name: Cistothorus stellaris
Length: 3.9-4.7 in (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.3 oz (7-10 g)
Wingspan: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
Sedge Wrens breed in southern Canada, the Midwest, and occasionally further east in the United States. They migrate south for winter, spending their time in southeastern states and northern Mexico, particularly near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
You can find Sedge Wrens hidden amidst wet grasslands, marshy areas, and meadows with abundant vegetation. They tend to inhabit shallower areas compared to Marsh Wrens and actively forage for insects and spiders.
Sedge Wrens emit a simple song comprising a few short notes followed by a series of rapid notes at a similar pitch.
Interesting fact: Sedge Wrens are not particularly friendly, as they may puncture the eggs of neighboring Sedge Wrens, resulting in their destruction.
3. Marsh Wren
During the breeding season, Marsh Wrens can be observed in Minnesota and are documented in 4% of checklists submitted during the summer. They are most commonly seen between April and October, although a few may remain until February.
Marsh Wrens have brown plumage with black and white streaks on their backs. Their undersides exhibit a grayish-brown tone, and they possess the characteristic upright wren tail. Unlike Sedge Wrens, they lack shoulder stripes and have longer bills. Males and females share the same appearance.
Scientific name: Cistothorus palustris
Length: 3.9-5.5 in (10-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g)
Wingspan: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Marsh Wrens breed in northern US states and central Canada before migrating to southern states and Mexico. Some individuals in the western regions and along the Atlantic Coast may remain in their habitats year-round. Marsh Wrens can also be spotted during migration in the eastern US.
You can find Marsh Wrens in wetland areas, where they cling to reeds, using their feet to grasp onto different stalks. They may be challenging to spot but listen for their melodious songs, especially during dawn and dusk.
Their diet mainly consists of insects and spiders, which they glean from leaves near the water’s surface.
Marsh Wrens produce a distinct buzzy song that can extend for up to 20 minutes.
Marsh Wrens construct fully enclosed nests, except for a small opening at the top. They weave reeds and grasses together to create their nests. They typically lay 3-10 eggs, which hatch after around two weeks, and the chicks fledge after an additional two weeks.
Fun fact: Marsh Wrens often build multiple dummynests attached to cattails but only utilize one nest, often destroying the eggs and nestlings of rival birds.
4. Winter Wren
Winter Wrens are most frequently sighted during the spring and fall migration in Minnesota, typically appearing between April and July, as well as September and October. However, a few individuals may remain in the region throughout the year.
Winter Wrens are small, plump birds with brown plumage. They exhibit darker barring on their wings, tail, and belly, along with a paler eyebrow stripe. Their short tails are held upright. Both males and females share the same physical characteristics.
Winter Wrens bear a striking resemblance to Pacific Wrens, and they were previously considered the same species. However, they are now classified as distinct species due to their unique songs.
Scientific name: Troglodytes hiemalis
Length: 3.1-4.7 in (8-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)
Wingspan: 4.7-6.3 in (12-16 cm)
Winter Wrens are present in eastern US states during winter and inhabit northeastern US states and Canada during summer.
You can find Winter Wrens concealed within tangled undergrowth in forests and backyards. They feed on insects and spiders by rummaging through fallen leaves and decaying bark.
Winter Wrens emit a long, bubbly, sweet song that is slower than the songs of Pacific Wrens. Their melodious performance can last up to 10 seconds.
Winter Wrens construct nests using twigs, moss, and grass, forming a round shape with a small opening. They typically lay 1-9 eggs, with an incubation period of around two weeks. The chicks take approximately two to two and a half weeks to fledge.
To attract Winter Wrens to your backyard, consider incorporating native plants and providing dense vegetation.
Fun fact: Winter Wrens create round nests with small openings, occasionally hanging them from trees.
5. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are not commonly found in Minnesota, but they can be spotted throughout the year.
Carolina Wrens have a dark brown upper body and a light brown underbody. They possess a white eyebrow stripe and an upright tail.
Scientific name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.6-0.8 oz (18-22 g)
Wingspan: 11.4 in (29 cm)
Carolina Wrens reside year-round in eastern and southeastern states of the US.
You can find Carolina Wrens in wooded areas or densely vegetated regions, and they may visit backyard feeders. They primarily feed on insects and spiders but occasionally consume lizards, frogs, and snakes.
Carolina Wrens produce a short song consisting of quick whistles.
Carolina Wrens construct their nests in trees or various natural and artificial locations. The nests are typically circular with a small side opening. They lay 3-7 eggs, and incubation lasts for around two weeks, followed by another two weeks for the chicks to fledge.
To attract Carolina Wrens to your backyard feeders, consider providing suet, hulled sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts in large tube or platform feeders.
Fun fact: Carolina Wrens form lifelong pair bonds.
6. Rock Wren
Rock Wrens are considered accidental species in Minnesota, and the last recorded sighting in the area was in Belle Plaine in 2020.
Rock Wrens have pale brown backs with darker flecks. They possess barred wings and tail, as well as pale underparts with buff coloring on the lower flanks and belly.
Distinctive features: Rock Wrens exhibit a pale eyebrow stripe, a long slightly curved bill, and dark legs. Males and females share the same coloring. Rock Wrens often bob up and down, particularly when agitated, which aids in their identification.
Scientific name: Salpinctes obsoletus
Length: 4.9-5.9 in (12.5-15 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.6 oz (15-18 g)
Wingspan: 8.7-9.4 in (22-24 cm)
Rock Wrens inhabit dry and rocky areas in western US states and southwest Canada. While those in the southern and western regions remain year-round, those in central US states migrate south for winter.
You can find Rock Wrens in arid, rocky areas with limited vegetation. They feed on insects found in crevices between rocks.
Rock Wrens showcase an extensive repertoire of songs, often repeating the same sound multiple times before transitioning to a different sound. Each rendition varies in pitch.
Rock Wrens construct nests on the ground, usually in cavities or depressions within rocky areas. They incorporate a layer of small stones followed by softer materials like wool and moss. A single Rock Wren may lay up to 8 eggs and produce up to 3 broods per year.
Fun fact: Rock Wrens build walkways composed of stones and other objects leading to their nests, although the purpose behind this behavior remains unknown. Additionally, Rock Wrens derive all the moisture they need from the insects they consume and do not drink water.
7. Bewick’s Wren
Bewick’s Wrens are extremely rare and accidental in Minnesota.
Bewick’s Wrens have brown backs with long gray upright tails adorned with darker barring. They possess gray bellies and a white stripe above their eyes.
Scientific name: Thryomanes bewickii
Length: 5.1 in (13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)
Bewick’s Wrens primarily inhabit southern and western states throughout the year, with some minor movements during winter.
You can find Bewick’s Wrens in scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands, where they hop from branch to branch, accentuating their movements with flicks of their long tails.
Bewick’s Wrens primarily feed on insects and larvae, including bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles.
Bewick’s Wrens produce a song consisting of short higher notes followed by lower-pitched buzzy notes.
Bewick’s Wrens construct nests on rock ledges, in old woodpecker nests, nest boxes, or crevices in buildings. Their nests are cup-shaped and made from sticks and grasses, with a softer lining. They typically lay 3-8 eggs, and incubation takes around two weeks, followed by another two weeks for the chicks to fledge.
To attract Bewick’s Wrens to your backyard, consider offering suet, mealworms, and hulled sunflower seeds.
Fun fact: House Wrens have played a significant role in the decline of Bewick’s Wrens in the eastern United States, as House Wrens have been known to destroy the eggs of Bewick’s Wrens.
How to Attract Wrens to Your Backyard
Having wrens visit your backyard allows you to enjoy their beautiful songs and observe their energetic behavior up close. While only a few species of wrens are regular backyard visitors, such as House Wrens, Carolina Wrens, and Bewick’s Wrens, you can take steps to attract them:
1. Embrace a bit of wildness: Don’t be too meticulous in maintaining your yard. Provide habitats for insects and spiders, which are wrens’ favorite food. Leave fallen leaves, brush piles, and spider webs intact.
2. Offer clean water sources: Wrens appreciate access to clean water. Consider providing multiple locations with running water, such as a small birdbath or a shallow fountain.
3. Create nesting sites: Wrens are cavity nesters. You can attract them by providing nest boxes specifically designed for wrens or by leaving out old boots or other suitable cavities for them to explore.
4. Provide varied food options: Wrens primarily feed on insects and spiders but may also enjoy other food sources. Offer mealworms, crickets, peanut pieces, suet, and hulled sunflower seeds to cater to their dietary preferences.
How Frequently Wrens are Spotted in Summer and Winter in Minnesota
Checklists compiled by birdwatchers on ebird provide valuable insights into the frequency of wren sightings in different seasons in Minnesota. Here is the breakdown of wren species and their occurrence:
Wrens in Minnesota in Summer:
– House Wren: 24.1%
– Sedge Wren: 5.8%
– Marsh Wren: 4.8%
– Winter Wren: 1.3%
– Carolina Wren: 0.1%
– Bewick’s Wren: <0.1%
– Rock Wren: <0.1%
Wrens in Minnesota in Winter:
– Carolina Wren: 0.3%
– Winter Wren: 0.1%
– Marsh Wren: <0.1%
Remember, these percentages are based on checklists submitted by birdwatchers and may vary from year to year or depending on specific locations within Minnesota.
By understanding the frequency of wren species, you can better anticipate their presence during different seasons and adjust your birdwatching activities accordingly.
Attracting wrens to your backyard not only enhances your birdwatching experience but also contributes to the conservation and appreciation of these delightful songbirds. Enjoy observing their unique behaviors and melodious songs as they grace your outdoor space.