Shetland Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes zetlandicus

Shetland Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes zetlandicus)

Shetland, Scotland
May 2004

The Shetland Wren is one of a series of sub-species of Winter Wren which is found in the islands off north-west Europe. They are T. t. fridariensis from Fair Isle, T. t. hirtensis from St Kilda, T. t. zetlandicus from Shetland, T. t. borealis from Faroes and T. t. islandicus from Iceland.

By comparison with the nominate sub-species found in continental Europe, the wings, tail, bill and legs all get longer the further away from Britain. There are also differences in colour though it is unwise to rely on photos to show up such colour differences.

Shetland Wren, Yell, Shetland, Scotland, May 2004 - click for larger image

There is a discussion about "Shetland Wren" in McGowan, R.Y., Clugston, D.L. & Forrester, R.W. 2003. Scotland's endemic subspecies. Scot. Birds 24: 18-35.

With regard to the Shetland Wren they say: "Darker and more rufous brown than the mainland form with underside heavily barred, barring generally extending from abdomen to breast, bill longer and stouter, stronger legs."

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