In North America, Quebec has been a hub for the observation of 6 out of the 11 wren species found in the region. Out of these, five wren species can be regularly seen, while one occurrence is accidental.
Throughout the year, the Carolina Wren is a common sight in Quebec. During the summer, other wren species that can be spotted include the Winter Wren, House Wren, Marsh Wren, and Sedge Wren. Additionally, keep an eye out for Rock Wrens in Quebec.
Wrens, though unassuming in appearance, possess notable personalities. These small, plump, brown birds sport distinctive upright tails and possess powerful voices.
Belonging to the Troglodyidae family of birds, wrens are native to the New World, encompassing North and South America. However, the Eurasian Wren deviates from this pattern and can be found in Europe and Africa.
Wrens thrive on a diet primarily consisting of insects and spiders. This dietary adaptability allows them to inhabit extreme environments, including dry and rocky areas with limited vegetation.
Previously, it was believed that the Winter Wren, Pacific Wren, and Eurasian Wren belonged to the same species. However, they have now been recognized as three distinct species.
Wrens have a long history of cultural significance and folklore. In Europe, it was once believed that harming a wren would bring about bad luck.
For identification purposes, this guide provides information on wren species in Quebec based on avibase data. The list is arranged in order of frequency, as reported by bird watchers’ checklists submitted to ebird.
To facilitate the identification of various bird species, including wrens, you can obtain a free photo guide for Quebec, specifically designed for bird identification in your backyard.
Below is a compilation of the six wren species found in Quebec:
1. Winter Wren
Winter Wrens are most commonly observed in Quebec during the breeding season, with a presence in approximately 11% of summer checklists. They are predominantly seen between April and October, although a few remain throughout the year.
Winter Wrens are small, plump birds with brown plumage, featuring darker barring on their wings, tail, and belly. They possess a paler eyebrow stripe and exhibit short tails held upright. Both males and females have a similar appearance.
Winter Wrens share striking similarities with Pacific Wrens; initially, they were considered the same species. However, they are now recognized as distinct species, characterized by 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 are found in the eastern states of the US during winter and in northeastern US states and Canada during summer.
To spot Winter Wrens, search within forested areas and backyards, where they tend to hide amidst tangled undergrowth. They forage for insects and spiders by rummaging through fallen leaves and decaying bark.
Winter Wrens emit a charming, bubbly, and melodious song that lasts up to 10 seconds, distinguishing it from the Pacific Wren’s song.
Nests of Winter Wrens are skillfully crafted with twigs, moss, and woven grass, forming a rounded structure with a small entrance. They typically lay 1 to 9 eggs, which hatch in approximately two to two and a half weeks, and the fledglings take a similar duration to leave the nest.
To attract Winter Wrens to your backyard, consider incorporating native plants and dense vegetation.
Fun Fact: Winter Wren nests are often
rounded and possess a small entrance. Some nests may even hang from trees.
2. House Wren
During the breeding season, House Wrens occupy Quebec and are reported in approximately 7% of summer checklists by bird watchers. They are primarily sighted in the southern regions of the province from April to November.
House Wrens are small, unremarkable birds with round brown bodies featuring darker barred wings and tails. Their throats exhibit a paler hue. Both male and female House Wrens possess a similar appearance.
Key Distinction: The eyestripe of House Wrens is less conspicuous 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 US and southern regions of Canada during summer, while they migrate to the southern US and Mexico for winter.
To spot House Wrens, explore backyards, parks, and open woodlands where they actively forage for insects and spiders. They exhibit lively behavior, hopping energetically through tangled vegetation and low branches while holding their tails upright. House Wrens emit a cheerful song during their activities.
Their diet mainly consists of insects and spiders, including beetles, caterpillars, flies, and even snail shells for calcium.
House Wrens produce a series of jumbled notes during their song, lacking a melodious tune. The notes vary in pitch and speed.
Nests of House Wrens are typically located in old woodpecker holes, nest boxes, or small crevices. They exhibit a preference for lightly wooded areas and construct their nests using twigs, lining them with softer materials. House Wrens lay 3 to 10 eggs, with an incubation period of around two weeks. The chicks take another two weeks to fledge.
To attract House Wrens to your backyard, create brush piles or install nest boxes.
Fun Fact: Despite their small size, House Wrens display remarkable tenacity when it comes to securing the best nesting sites. They often harass larger birds, occasionally displacing eggs or nestlings from desired locations.
3. Marsh Wren
During the breeding season, Marsh Wrens are observed on approximately 3% of summer checklists, and they are most likely to be sighted in Quebec. Their arrival begins as early as April, with some individuals remaining until January. The best months to spot Marsh Wrens are from May to September.
Marsh Wrens possess brown plumage with distinct black and white streaks on their back. The underside of their bodies showcases a grayish-brown shade, while their upright tail is characteristic of wrens.
Unlike Sedge Wrens, Marsh Wrens lack shoulder stripes and have longer bills. Male and female Marsh Wrens exhibit 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 US states and central regions of Canada, subsequently migrating to southern US states and Mexico. They can also be observed during migration in the eastern US.
You can find Marsh Wrens in wetland areas, where they adeptly cling to reeds, utilizing their feet to grip different stalks. Spotting them may be challenging, but listen for their distinctive buzzing songs, especially during dawn and dusk.
Marsh Wrens primarily feed on insects and spiders, which they capture from leaves near water sources.
The song of Marsh Wrens consists of a series of buzzy notes, which can extend for up to 20 minutes.
Nests of Marsh Wrens are fully enclosed, featuring a small opening at the top. Constructed from reeds and woven grasses, their nests can contain 3 to 10 eggs. Incubation takes around two weeks, followed by a similar duration for fledging.
Fun Fact: Marsh Wrens may construct multiple dummy nests, sometimes up to twenty, attached to cattails. However, they typically utilize only one nest, often destroying the eggs and nestlings of rival birds.
4. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens reside in Quebec throughout the year, primarily frequenting the southern regions of the province.
Carolina Wrens possess dark brown upper plumage, contrasting with their lighter brown underparts. They exhibit a distinctive 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 remain resident across the eastern and southeastern states of the US throughout the year.
You can find Carolina Wrens in wooded areas and densely vegetated regions. They are also known to visit backyard feeders. In addition to insects and spiders, Carolina Wrens occasionally consume lizards, frogs, and snakes.
Carolina Wrens produce a short song comprising quick whistles.
Nests of Carolina Wrens are typically located in trees, although they exhibit flexibility and can construct nests in various natural or artificial locations. The nests are often circular with a small side opening. Carolina Wrens lay 3 to 7 eggs, which hatch in approximately two weeks. The fledglings require another two weeks before leaving the nest.
To attract Carolina Wrens to your backyard, consider providing suet feeders, hulled sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts in large tube or platform feeders.
Fun Fact: Carolina Wrens form lifelong pairs, displaying remarkable loyalty in their relationships.
5. Sedge Wren
Sedge Wrens are rarely observed in Quebec. However, they are recognized as regularly occurring during the breeding season, spanning from May to November.
Sedge Wrens are small brown birds with darker upper plumage exhibiting streaks and bars. Their underparts appear paler, and they possess a light eyebrow stripe. Both male and female Sedge Wrens share a similar appearance.
Sedge Wrens closely resemble Marsh Wrens and can be found in 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 US. They migrate to spend winter in southeastern states and northern Mexico, near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
Sedge Wrens can be found hidden in wet grasslands, marshy areas, and meadows abundant in vegetation. They prefer shallower areas compared to Marsh Wrens and primarily feed on insects and spiders.
The song of Sedge Wrens consists of a few short notes followed by a rapid sequence of similar-pitched notes.
Nests of Sedge Wrens are often located in cavities or depressions in rocky areas. They incorporate a layer of small stones and softer materials like wool and moss. Sedge Wrens may lay up to 8 eggs and produce up to 3 broods per year.
Fun Fact: Sedge Wrens display aggression towards nearby nesting Sedge Wrens by piercing their eggs, destroying them.
6. Rock Wren
Rock Wrens are considered accidental species in Quebec, as recorded sightings date back to 2013.
Rock Wrens possess pale brown upper plumage with darker flecks. They feature barring on their wings and tail and exhibit a pale lower abdomen, with buff coloring on the lower flanks and belly.
Distinctive features of Rock Wrens include a pale eyebrow stripe, a long and slightly curved bill, and dark legs. Both males and females share the same coloring. Rock Wrens exhibit a bobbing motion, particularly 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 US states and southwestern Canada. While those in the southern and western regions remain resident year-round, individuals in central US states migrate south for winter.
To spot Rock Wrens, explore dry and rocky areas with minimal vegetation. They feed on insects found within crevices in rocks.
Rock Wrens produce a varied song repertoire, often repeating the same sound several times before transitioning to a different sound of several repeated notes. Each rendition features different pitches.
Nests of Rock Wrens are constructed on the ground, typically within cavities or depressions in rocky regions. They incorporate small stones and line the nests with materials such as wool and moss. Rock Wrens may lay up to 8 eggs and produce up to 3 broods in a year.
Fun Facts: Rock Wrens construct stone walkways leading to their nests, though the purpose of this behavior remains unknown. Interestingly, they do not consume water directly and fulfill their moisture requirements through their insect diet.
How to Attract Wrens to Your Backyard
To attract wrens to your backyard, consider the following tips:
1. Embrace a slightly untidy yard, providing habitats for insects and spiders. Leave fallen leaves, brush piles, and spider webs intact.
2. Offer clean water sources, preferably with running water, at multiple locations.
3. Provide suitable nesting sites, such as nest boxes or even repurposed items like old boots.
4. Supplement their diet by offering mealworms, crickets, peanuts, and suet.
By implementing these suggestions, you can create an inviting environment for wrens and enjoy their beautiful songs and lively presence in your backyard.