| Northern Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (aka Winter Wren) |
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The Northern Wren is found throughout most of Europe with a disjunct population in the Far East. See the
distribution map at Birdlife International. Many authorities lump it with Winter Wren T. hiemalis found in North America and refer to it as Winter
Wren T. troglodytes. It inhabits a variety of habitats which provide it with low cover on which it can forage for the insects on which it
feeds. It is usually seen foraging within a couple of metres of the ground.
It is the only wren found in Europe but like the rest of the wren family, which is found in the Americas, it is a loud and melodious singer and is usually heard well before it is seen. Its characteristic call is a single or double note sounding like large pebbles being knocked together. |
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It is one of the smallest European birds at about 9 cms but it appears even smaller by its habit of sticking its
very short tail up in the air. It has a fairly long, thin bill, a buffy supercilium and dark
bars on its wings and flanks.
It scientific name means "cave dweller" and this derives from its habit of building its nest in a crevice or hole in walls, trees or steep banks. |
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There are 13 sub-species of Northern Wren in Europe one of which is the St Kilda Wren. Another is the Shetland Wren. | |||
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