General
Winter Wren: Tiny wren with barred, dark brown upperparts and pale eyebrows. Brown underparts are heavily barred on flanks, belly, and undertail. Tail is very short. Sexes are similar.
Range and Habitat
Winter Wren: Breeds from Alaska and British Columbia east through southern Canada to Newfoundland, and south to California, northern Idaho, the Great Lakes region, and southern New England, and in the mountains to Georgia. Spends winters across much of the southern U.S. south to southern California, the Gulf Coast, and Florida. Dense tangles and thickets in coniferous and mixed forests are preferred habitats.
Breeding and Nesting
Winter Wren: Four to seven white eggs with brown flecks on large end are laid in a bulky nest made of twigs and moss, with an entrance on the side, lined with softer material, and often concealed among upturned roots of a fallen tree. Incubation ranges from 12 to 16 days and is carried out by the female.
Foraging and Feeding
Winter Wren: Feeds on insects and other small invertebrates; forages on the ground and along banks of streams.
Readily Eats
Apple Slices, Peanut Butter
Vocalization
Winter Wren: Song is a high-pitched, varied, and rapid series of musical trills and chatters. The call note is an explosive "kit" or "kit-kit."
Similar Species
Winter Wren: Sedge Wren is streaked with white on crown and back. Rock Wren is larger with contrasting gray back and brown rump, and has buff tail tip.