In North America, there have been sightings of 11 distinct wren species, and interestingly, all 6 of these species have been observed in New Hampshire. Among the wrens found in New Hampshire, five of them are commonly seen, while one occurrence is considered accidental. This guide aims to assist you in recognizing these wren species based on their appearance and distinctive calls.
Throughout the year in New Hampshire, you will encounter the Carolina Wrens. During the summer, House Wrens, Winter Wrens, and Marsh Wrens can also be spotted. Additionally, keep an eye out for the Sedge Wrens and Bewick’s Wrens in New Hampshire. These wrens may appear ordinary in appearance, being small, plump, brown birds with upright tails and powerful voices.
It’s worth noting that wrens belong to the Troglodyidae family and are New World birds, primarily found in North and South America. The Eurasian Wren, however, is an exception and resides in Europe and Africa, belonging to the Old World category.
Wrens possess a diverse diet consisting mostly of insects and spiders. This adaptability enables them to inhabit various environments, including dry and rocky areas with limited vegetation.
In the past, it was mistakenly believed that the Winter Wren, Pacific Wren, and Eurasian Wren were a single species. However, they have since been recognized as three separate species.
Wrens have a rich history intertwined with folklore and symbolic meanings. In Europe, there was a superstitious belief that harming wrens would bring bad luck.
To facilitate wren species identification in New Hampshire, this guide references avibase and arranges the wrens in order of their frequency based on checklists submitted to ebird by bird watchers in the state.
For a helpful visual aid in identifying various bird species, including wrens, you can obtain a free bird identification photo guide specifically tailored for New Hampshire, which will assist you in recognizing the birds that visit your backyard.
Now, let’s explore the six species of wrens found in New Hampshire:
1. House Wren
During summer, House Wrens are present in approximately 13% of the checklists submitted by bird watchers in New Hampshire. Their most frequent sightings occur between April and October, with a few individuals lingering until December.
House Wrens are small, unassuming birds with round bodies covered in brown feathers. They possess darker barred wings and tails, along with a lighter-colored throat. Both male and female House Wrens share the same appearance.
Notably, House Wrens have less noticeable eyestripes compared to other wren species. They measure around 4.3 to 5.1 inches (11-13 cm) in length, weighing approximately 0.3 to 0.4 ounces (10-12 g), with a wingspan of 5.9 inches (15 cm).
During summer, House Wrens breed in the United States and Southern Canada before migrating to warmer regions in the South and Mexico for the winter.
House Wrens can be found in backyards, parks, and open woodlands, actively searching for insects and spiders. They energetically hop through tangled foliage and low branches, often raising their tails, while singing their cheerful songs.
Their diet primarily consists of insects, such as beetles, caterpillars, and flies. Additionally, they consume snail shells as a source of calcium.
House Wren songs are characterized by a series of jumbled notes that vary in pitch and speed, rather than being melodious.
These wrens typically nest in old woodpecker holes, nest boxes, or other small crevices. They prefer lightly wooded areas and construct their nests using twigs, often lining them with softer materials. House Wrens lay 3 to
10 eggs, which take approximately two weeks to hatch. The chicks require an additional two weeks to fledge.
To attract House Wrens to your backyard, you can create suitable habitats by leaving piles of brush or setting up nest boxes.
A fascinating fact about House Wrens is their tenacious nature, as they fiercely compete with larger birds for the best nest holes, occasionally displacing eggs or nestlings from the preferred site.
2. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are year-round residents in New Hampshire and can be observed throughout the entire year. They are reported in 3% of summer checklists and 7% of winter checklists submitted by bird watchers in the state.
These shy birds feature dark brown plumage on their upper bodies and lighter brown undersides. They possess a white eyebrow stripe and an upright tail.
Measuring around 4.7 to 5.5 inches (12-14 cm) in length and weighing approximately 0.6 to 0.8 ounces (18-22 g), Carolina Wrens have a wingspan of 11.4 inches (29 cm).
Carolina Wrens are year-round residents primarily found across Eastern and Southeastern states in the United States.
You can encounter Carolina Wrens in wooded areas or dense vegetation, and they may also visit backyard feeders. Their diet predominantly consists of insects and spiders, although they occasionally consume lizards, frogs, and snakes.
Carolina Wrens produce short, quick whistles as their song.
Their nests are typically found in trees, but they display versatility in choosing nesting locations, both natural and artificial. The nests are often circular with a small opening on the side. Carolina Wrens lay 3 to 7 eggs, and it takes around two weeks for the eggs to hatch. Subsequently, the chicks require another two weeks to fledge.
To attract Carolina Wrens to your backyard feeders, consider offering suet feeders, hulled sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts in large tube or platform feeders.
It’s interesting to note that Carolina Wrens form lifelong pair bonds.
3. Winter Wren
Winter Wrens rank as the second most frequently observed wren species during the summer in New Hampshire, accounting for 9% of checklists submitted by bird watchers. While they primarily appear during the breeding season, a few individuals can be spotted throughout the year.
Winter Wrens possess small, plump bodies covered in brown feathers, featuring darker barring on their wings, tail, and belly. They also have a paler eyebrow stripe and short tails that they keep upright. Males and females exhibit similar appearances.
Winter Wrens closely resemble Pacific Wrens, and they were initially believed to be the same species. However, they have now been classified as distinct species with differing songs.
These wrens measure approximately 3.1 to 4.7 inches (8-12 cm) in length, weighing around 0.3 to 0.4 ounces (8-12 g), with a wingspan of 4.7 to 6.3 inches (12-16 cm).
Winter Wrens are found in the eastern states of the United States during winter and in the northeastern states and Canada during the summer.
Look for Winter Wrens concealed in tangled undergrowth within forests and backyards. They forage for insects and spiders by rummaging through fallen leaves and decaying bark.
Winter Wrens produce a long, bubbly, and sweet song that lasts up to 10 seconds. Their song differs from that of Pacific Wrens, which is faster.
When constructing nests, Winter Wrens utilize twigs, moss, and grass, weaving them into round shapes with a small opening. They lay 1 to 9 eggs, requiring two to two and a half weeks for hatching. The fledging period is also around two weeks.
To attract Winter Wrens to your backyard, consider incorporating native plants and preserving dense vegetation.
A fascinating fact about Winter Wrens is that their nests are typically round in shape, sometimes even hanging from trees.
4. Marsh Wren
While not particularly common, Marsh Wrens can be observed in New Hampshire during the breeding season. They are most likely to be seen between April and October and are documented in 1% of summer checklists. However, a few individuals may linger until January.
Marsh Wrens possess brown plumage with black and white streaks on their backs. Their undersides exhibit a grayish-brown coloration, and they feature the characteristic upright wren tail.
Distinguishing them from other wren species, Marsh Wrens lack shoulder stripes and have longer bills compared to Sedge Wrens. Male and female Marsh Wrens share the same appearance.
These wrens measure around 3.9 to 5.5 inches (10-14 cm) in length, weighing approximately 0.3 to 0.5 ounces (9-14 g), with a wingspan of 5.9 inches (15 cm).
Marsh Wrens breed in the northern states of the United States and central Canada, subsequently migrating to southern states and Mexico. Some individuals along the western regions and Atlantic Coast may remain resident throughout the year. Marsh Wrens can be encountered during migration in the eastern United States.
You can find Marsh Wrens in wetland areas, where they cling to reeds with each foot gripping different stalks. They can be challenging to spot, but you may hear their songs emanating from within the reeds, especially during dawn and dusk.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, which they pick off leaves in close proximity to the water.
Marsh Wrens produce a distinctive buzzy song that can last for up to 20 minutes.
Nests of Marsh Wrens are fully enclosed, except for a small opening at the top. They are constructed using reeds and grasses woven together. Marsh Wrens lay 3 to 10 eggs, requiring around two weeks for hatching. The fledging period is approximately two weeks.
An intriguing fact about Marsh Wrens is their behavior of building up to twenty dummy nests attached to cattails, although they typically use only one nest while destroying the eggs and nestlings of rival birds.
5. Sedge Wren
Sedge Wrens are seldom spotted in New Hampshire, but they are considered regularly occurring in the state, and sightings were recorded around Merrimack in 2015.
These small brown wrens possess darker upper bodies with streaks and barring, while their undersides exhibit a paler tone. They feature a small, light eyebrow stripe. Both male and female Sedge Wrens exhibit similar appearances.
Sedge Wrens share similarities in appearance with Marsh Wrens and can be found in similar wet areas. However, Marsh Wrens lack striped shoulders and possess lighter bellies.
Measuring around 3.9 to 4.7 inches (10-12 cm) in length, Sedge Wrens weigh approximately 0.3 to 0.3 ounces (7-10 g), with a wingspan of 4.7 to 5.5 inches (12-14 cm).
Sedge Wrens breed in southern Canada, the Midwest, and occasionally further east in the United States. They migrate and spend their winters in southeastern states and northern Mexico, primarily near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
To locate Sedge Wrens, you must carefully search within wet grasslands, marshy areas, and meadows with abundant vegetation. They typically prefer shallower areas compared to Marsh Wrens and hunt for insects and spiders.
Sedge Wrens produce a simple song consisting of a few short notes followed by a rapid succession of similar-pitched notes.
It’s worth noting that Sedge Wrens are less docile and will pierce the eggs of other Sedge Wrens that nest too closely, ultimately destroying them.
6. Bewick’s Wren
Bewick’s Wrens are incredibly rare sightings in New Hampshire, yet the New Hampshire Rare Birds Committee has acknowledged them as accidental species in the state.
These wrens have brown backs and long gray upright tails with darker barring. They feature gray bellies and a white stripe above the eye.
Bewick’s Wrens measure approximately 5.1 inches (13 cm) in length, weighing around 0.3 to 0.4 ounces (8-12 g).
Bewick’s Wrens reside throughout the year in southern and western states, with minor movements during winter.
You can find Bewick’s Wrens in scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands, as they hop from one branch to another, frequently flicking their long tails.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and larvae, including bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles.
Bewick’s Wrens produce a song characterized by a couple of short, higher notes followed by lower-pitched buzzy notes.
Their nests are located on rock ledges, old woodpecker nests, nest boxes, or crevices in buildings. Constructed in a cup-like shape, these nests are made from sticks and grasses with a softer lining. Bewick’s Wrens lay 3 to 8 eggs, which hatch after approximately two weeks. The fledging period takes an additional two weeks.
To attract Bewick’s Wrens to your backyard, consider offering suet, mealworms, and hulled sunflower seeds.
A noteworthy fact about Bewick’s Wrens is the detrimental impact House Wrens have on their populations in the eastern United States. House Wrens often destroy the eggs of Bewick’s Wrens when they compete for nesting sites.
How to Attract Wrens to Your Backyard
Having wrens visit your backyard allows you to appreciate their melodious songs and observe their lively behavior up close. 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. Embrace a less tidy approach: Provide habitats for insects and spiders, which are wrens’ preferred food sources. Leave fallen leaves, brush piles, and spider webs undisturbed.
2. Offer clean water: Consider incorporating running water sources in various locations within your backyard.
3. Provide nesting sites: Wrens readily use nest boxes, or if left out, they may even choose unconventional options like old boots.
4. Offer suitable food: Wrens enjoy mealworms, crickets, peanut pieces, suet, and other foods that cater to their dietary preferences.
Frequency of Wren Sightings in Summer and Winter
To gain insights into the most commonly sighted wren species, let’s examine their frequency based on checklists submitted to ebird:
Wrens in Summer:
– House Wren: 13.0%
– Winter Wren: 9.3%
– Carolina Wren: 3.2%
– Marsh Wren: 1.4%
– Sedge Wren: <0.1%
Wrens in Winter:
– Carolina Wren: 7.4%
– Winter Wren: 0.6%
– Marsh Wren: <0.1%
– House Wren: <0.1%