Wren

It is often stated that the wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) is the commonest breeding bird in the United Kingdom, although this is sometimes hard to believe, given that other species seem to be much more visible in the average garden. However, the fact that the wren is very small and very shy may have a lot to do with it!

The wren is a bird of woodlands, thickets and other places where there is plenty of opportunity to find food and stay out of harm’s way. You are therefore far more likely to see wrens in your garden if you are not the most conscientious of gardeners! If you prefer a manicured lawn and flower beds in perfect order, that must be your compensation for seeing very few wrens!

Appearance

At 9.5 centimetres (less than 4 inches) in length, only the goldcrest is smaller among British birds. The wren has brown plumage, darker above than below and with a pale stripe behind the eye, short round wings, a short, slightly curved bill, relatively long legs and toes, and a short tail that is often held cocked in an upright position.

Behaviour

The wren rarely stays still for long, being constantly on the move, either hopping along the ground or making short whirring flights from one bush or tree to the next. It usually stays under cover as it seeks food among the leaf litter, this food consisting mainly of insects, larvae, spiders and seeds.

Breeding

The male wren has an unusual way of attracting a mate, which is to build a series of nests, in the territory which he has stoutly defended, and invite his intended to choose which one she prefers. These nests will be constructed from twigs and moss with a small entrance at the side. When the hen bird has made her choice, the “des res” will be completed with a lining of hairs and feathers. The rejected nests do not go to waste, as the cock bird will use one as his sleeping quarters, and a spare nest is often used to house a first brood if a second is started during a season.

A clutch consists of five to seven eggs, which are incubated solely by the female wren, for up to 16 days. The young stay in the nest for a further 16 days or so. The first brood is likely to be hatched around mid-May, with a second following in June if conditions permit.

The wren is not under threat in Great Britain, despite its vulnerability to predators such as rats, foxes and domestic cats, but its numbers can suffer during very cold winters or if insect populations decline for any reason. 

© John Welford