In North America, 11 wren species have been identified, with Texas accounting for 9 of them. The Texas sightings are all categorized as common occurrences. By sight and sound, this guide will help you identify them.
- Carolina Wrens, Bewick’s Wrens, Canyon Wrens, Cactus Wrens, and Rock Wrens are all found in Texas throughout the year.
- House Wrens, Marsh Wrens, Sedge Wrens, and Winter Wrens may be found in Texas throughout the winter.
Wrens are big- personalityed, unremarkable-looking songbirds. They’re brown, small birds with upright tails and enormous voices. They’re rather corpulent and plump.
Except for the Eurasian Wren, which is Old World and lives in Europe and Africa, wrens are New World birds that live in North and South America. Troglodyidae birds are their family of choice.
Wrens can live in more severe conditions, such as dry and extremely rocky places with less vegetation, thanks to the fact that insects and spiders make up the majority of their diet.
The Winter Wren was originally regarded as a different species from Pacific Wrens and Eurasian Wrens, but researchers have now determined that they are three distinct species.
Wrens have always been linked to folklore and connotations, and it was once thought that murdering wrens would bring bad luck in Europe.
According to Avibase, this guide can help you identify wren species in Texas. According to bird watchers’ checklists for the state provided to ebird, the wrens in this list are arranged by how often they are sighted, from most common to least common.
To help you identify many of the birds that visit your backyard, you can print out a free Texas bird identification photo guide.
9 Species of Wrens in Texas:
- Carolina Wren
- Bewick’s Wren
- House Wren
- Marsh Wren
- Canyon Wren
- Cactus Wren
- Sedge Wren
- Winter Wren
- Rock Wren
1. Carolina Wren
The most commonly seen wren in Texas is the Carolina Wren, which does not migrate. They are seen in 24% of state bird watcher checklists during the summer and 27% of state bird watcher checklists during the winter.
The dark brown top and pale brown underside of the Carolina Wren make it a retiring bird. They have an upright tail with a white eyebrow stripe.
- 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)
All year, Eastern and Southeastern states have Carolina Wrens as residents.
Carolina Wrens will visit backyard feeders and can be found in wooded or thickly vegetated regions. They consume lizards, frogs, and snakes when they are hungry enough.
They sing a brief song of quick whistles, which is how Carolina Wrens sound.
Carolina Wrens build nests in trees, but they are not picky and will construct them in a variety of settings, both natural and man-made. The nests are generally almost circular with a tiny entrance on one side. The eggs take around two weeks to hatch and the chicks another two weeks to fleege, so they lay three to seven eggs.
Suet feeders, hulled sunflower seeds, and peanut hearts in huge tube feeders or platform feeders can all attract Carolina Wrens to your outdoor feeding stations.
Fun fact: For the rest of their lives, the Carolina Wrens will be together.
2. Bewick’s Wren
The second most prevalent wren species in Texas is Bewick’s Wrens, who may be seen here all year. In the state’s summer and winter checklists, they appear in 12% and 8%, respectively.
Brown-backed birds with long upright gray tails with deeper stripes, Bewick’s Wrens are a species of wren. Gray bellies with a white stripe across the eye are what they look like.
- Thryomanes bewickii
- Length: 5.1 in (13 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)
Bewick’s Wrens may be found throughout the year in southern and western states, with a few winter migrations.
Bewick’s Wrens may be found hopping from branch to branch, flicking their long tails, in scrub, thickets, and open woodland.
Bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles are among the insects and larvae they eat.
Bewick’s Wren sounds: The beginning of their song features a few high notes followed by low-pitched buzzing notes.
Nests may be found on rock ledges, ancient woodpecker nests, nest boxes, and crevices in buildings. They’re cup-shaped and include a softer liner of sticks and grasses. The eggs are laid in three to eight clusters, and it takes two weeks for the chicks to hatch and another two weeks for them to fledge.
Suet, mealworms, and hulled sunflower seeds will attract Bewick Wrens to your yard.
Fun fact: Bewick Wrens have suffered a decline in the eastern United States due to House Wrens, who would destroy their eggs.
3. House Wren
In Texas, House Wrens are seen in 7% of winter checklists, although they are more prevalent during the winter. They can be seen throughout the year, but the best months to see them are October through mid-February.
Little nondescript spherical brown birds with darker wing and tail stripes and a lighter throat, House Wrens are little. Males and femen have the same appearance.
Distinguishing features: In comparison to other wren species, the eyestripe is less visible.
- 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)
Before heading to The South and Mexico for winter, House Wrens spend their summer breeding in the United States and Southern Canada.
House Wrens are foraging for insects and spiders in backyards, parks, and open woods. With their tails up, they may frequently be seen energetically leaping through tangles and low branches, singing their cheerful song.
Insects and spiders, such as beetles, caterpillars, and flies, are foods for House Wrens. Calcium is also taken from snail casings.
House Wren sounds: They make up for their lack of tune with increased frequency! House Wrens create a jumbled mess of notes that go in pitch and tempo rather than being tuneful.
House Wrens’ nests are found in tiny spaces such as old woodpecker holes, nest boxes, and so on. They prefer lightly wooded areas and line their nests with softer material, using twigs as building materials. The eggs take about two weeks to hatch and the chicks another two weeks to fledge, so they lay three to ten eggs.
Leaving piles of brush or erecting a nest box will attract House Wrens to your property.
Fun fact: House Wrens are aggressive despite their tiny size, and they will frequently pursue bigger birds, dragging eggs or nestlings out of a nest location they have chosen.
4. Marsh Wren
During the winter in Texas, Marsh Wrens can be found on 2% of winter checklists, and they are spotted. They are more frequent from September through May, although a few may be seen throughout the year.
On the back of Marsh Wrens, there are black and white streaks. They have the wren’s distinctive upright tail and a grayish brown underside.
They have larger beaks than Sedge Wrens and lack stripes on their shoulders. Males and females have the same appearance.
- 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)
Before moving to Southern states and Mexico, Marsh Wrens breed in Northern US states and Central Canada. Many birds in the west and along the Atlantic coast may spend the year there. In the Eastern United States, they may be spotted during migration.
Marsh Wrens may be found in marshlands, grabbing onto reeds with each foot and grabbing a unique stalk. They may be difficult to hear, but keep an eye out for singing among the reeds at dawn and dusk.
Insects and spiders are devoured, with those grabbed from near the water being consumed.
Marsh Wren sounds: They sing a 20-minute buzzy song that is unique to them.
Except for a tiny entrance in the top, Marsh Wren nests are totally enclosed. 3 – 10 eggs are placed, which take two weeks to hatch and two weeks to fledge. They’re woven together from reeds and grasses.
Fun facts: Marsh Wrens will only utilize one of their 20-round fake nests linked to cattails, which they’ll rip out and devour the eggs and fledglings of competing birds.
5. Canyon Wren
Wrens in Texas may be seen all year and do not migrate. Summer checklists have 2% of the total, while winter checklists have 1%.
The stocky brown birds with white throats and lighter barred tails known as Canyon Wrens. Their skulls are speckled and darker grayish-brown. They stick to rocks with their short, powerful legs. Both men and womales have the same appearance.
Distinctive features: They have a white throat and dark belly, like Rock Wrens, and they prefer rocky areas.
- Catherpes mexicanus
- Length: 4.5-6.1 in (11.4-15.4 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.7 oz (9.9-18.3 g)
- Wingspan: 7.1-7.9 in (18-20 cm)
The Canyon Wren does not travel and may be found from southern British Columbia to the west through the United States and Mexico.
Look for Canyon Wrens in stony areas, where they search for insects and spiders within crevices. They can cling to rocks and climb a vertical rocky cliff because of their short, muscular legs.
Canyon Wren sounds: They sing a particular song that starts out slowly and finishes with a few raspy notes.
Canyon Wren nests are constructed of wool and feathers in locations where twigs and grasses have been lined.
Fun fact: Spiders’ webs and wasp nests are robbed by Canyon Wrens.
6. Cactus Wren
Texas is home to cactus wrens all year. They are mostly seen in the west of the state and do not migrate. Summer checklists include them, while winter checklists do not.
The speckled undersides, large bold eyebrow stripe, and huge size of Cactus Wrens make them easier to spot. They have a lot of streaking on the backs and are brown.
Unlike most wrens, Cactus Wrens do not have a standing tail. They instead spread their tails wide to display the white tips.
- Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
- Length: 7.1-8.7 in (18-22 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-1.7 oz (32-47 g)
From California to Texas and Mexico, cactus wrens can be found in arid regions.
Cactus Wrens may be seen singing or eating cactus fruit in the open at the summit of a cactus, which is uncommon for wrens. When they’re on the ground hunting for insects and spiders, they’ll occasionally flip over leaves and other detritus.
Cactus Wren sounds: They emit a distinct two-tone thrumming that gets louder as it progresses.
Cactus Wren nests are spherical and have a concealed tunnel entrance in the desert flora. The chicks fledge in around three weeks after laying two to seven eggs, which hatch in approximately two and a half weeks.
Fun fact: In the desert, cactus wrens don’t need to drink water, so they get all of their hydration from insects and fruit instead.
7. Sedge Wren
During the winter, Sedge Wrens can be found in Texas, and they make up 1% of all checklists. They come as early as August, and some remain until July, although October to April are the best months to see them.
The upper part of Sedge Wrens is brown, while the underside is paler with streaks and bars. A little light eyebrow stripe runs through their eyes. Males and femen look fairly similar.
Marsh Wrens lack striped shoulders and have lighter bellies, so Sedges Wrens look a lot like Marsh Wrens and may be found in similar wet places.
- 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)
Southern Canada, the Midwest, and occasionally east of the United States are home to Sedge Wrens. During the winter, they travel to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of southern states and northern Mexico.
Sedge Wren may be found in damp grasslands, marshy regions, and meadows with a lot of greenery. They hunt for insects and spiders in shallower areas than Marsh Wrens prefer.
Sedge Wren sounds: Their song is made up of a few short notes followed by a pitch that is similar to a few more rapid notes.
Fun fact: Other Sedge Wrens’ eggs will be pierced by Sedge Wrens, which will destroy them because they are not as sweet.
8. Winter Wren
In Texas, winter Wrens may be spotted on 1% of checklists, which may be seen throughout the winter. From September to May, they can be found in the state.
The wings, tail, and belly of winter Wrens are darkly barred and small, plump brown birds. They have shorter tails and a lighter eyebrow stripe that they maintain upright. Males and females have the same looks.
The Winter Wrens look a lot like Pacific Wrens, and scientists used to think that they were the same species, but now they’re recognized as different. They sing distinct songs.
- 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)
In the winter, eastern US states, and in the summer, northern US states, Winter Wrens may be found.
Winter Wren sounds: They perform a 10-second song that is lengthy, bubbly, and sweet. It is slower than Pacific Wrens.
Twigs, moss, and grass bind together in a circular form with a tiny entrance to create Winter Wren nests. Hatching takes two or two and a half weeks, and they lay one to nine eggs.
Native plants and dese vegetation may entice Winter Wrens to your yard.
Fun fact: Winter Wrens build spherical nests with a tiny entrance that are often placed from the branches.
9. Rock Wren
Rock Wrens may be seen in Texas year-round and are well-known for their frequent presence.
The backs of rock wrens are light brown with darker speckles. They’re pale below with buff coloring on the lower flanks and belly, but have barring on their wings and tail.
Distinctive features: Long, somewhat bent beak, black legs, and a faint eyebrow stripe
The same coloration applies to both males and females. When agitated, rock wrens bob up and down. This might aid in identifying this species.
- 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)
In western states and southwest Canada, Rock Wrens can be found in arid, rocky environments. Those in the southern and western states survive all year, whereas those in the northern US states migrate south for winter.
Dry, rocky places with little vegetation are ideal for Rock Wrens. They consume insects discovered in the rocks’ crevices.
Rock Wren sounds: Over 100 tunes are known by them, and before they change and repeat a new sound several times, they may keep repeating the same tone. Each time, their songs are pitched differently.
Rock Wrens build their nests on the ground, which include a layer of tiny stones followed by softer materials like wool and moss. Their nests are found in hollows or depressions in rocky places. They may produce up to three broods each year and lay up to eight eggs.
Fun fact: They construct a stone pathway that leads to their nest, although it’s unclear why. They also get all the moisture they need from eating insects, and they do not drink water.
How to Attract Wrens to Your Backyard
You may listen to the lovely song of wrens and observe them up close because they are visiting your yard. House Wrens, Carolina Wrens, and Berwick Wrens are the only wren species that visit backyards on a regular basis.
To attract wrens to your backyard, try these ideas:
- Don’t make your surroundings too clean – Wrens like insects and spiders, so create habitats for them. Brush away leaves, debris, and webs spiders have created.
- Provide clean water in various areas, preferably flowing water.
- Wrens will utilize nest boxes or, if none are accessible, your discarded shoes.
- Mealworms and crickets are accepted by wrens as sources of food. Peanut pieces and suet are also worth a try.
Checklists are a fantastic way to discover which birds are most commonly seen. On checklists on eBird throughout the summer and winter, these lists indicate which Wrens are most frequently observed.
Wrens in Texas in Summer:
Carolina Wren 27.4%
Bewick’s Wren 12.5%
Canyon Wren 2.3%
Cactus Wren 2.2%
Rock Wren 0.5%
House Wren 0.5%
Marsh Wren 0.5%
Sedge Wren 0.1%
Winter Wren <0.1%
Wrens in Texas in Winter:
Carolina Wren 24.2%
Bewick’s Wren 8.8%
House Wren 7.6%
Marsh Wren 2.7%
Sedge Wren 1.6%
Winter Wren 1.4%
Cactus Wren 1.2%
Canyon Wren 1.0%
Rock Wren 0.6%