Most occur near the ground in the undergrowth of forests, scrub, desert vegetation, and second growth, while a few species are entirely terrestrial and frequent rocky areas. The Troglodytidae occur in most North American habitats except for the tundra. Some species also have white on the underparts, white eye-brows, or white spotting.

Various shades of brown predominate, many species with black spots, barring or streaks. Tail size varies from the very short as is the case in the wood-wrens, to longish as in the Cactus Wren.īright colors are not found in the plumages of wrens. The members of this family are rather plump birds with short wings, longish, strong legs and feet, and rather large heads with long, thin, slightly downcurved bills. The wrens are small birds for the most part although the Cactus Wren is a medium-sized bird. This familiar bird species is well-named as it often occurs around human habitations, often building its nest under the eaves of roofs or in backyard nest boxes. The House Wren is known for its confiding, friendly behavior. These include the familiar House Wren, the desert dwelling Cactus Wren, and the aptly named Rock Wren. There are seventy-nine species of wrens in sixteen genera in the Troglodytidae (pronounced trog-luh-DIE-tuh-dee), a family mostly restricted to the New World.įorty-six species of wrens in fourteen genera are found in North America.

The wrens are just one of the one hundred eighteen families of birds in the order PASSERIFORMES (pronounced pas-ser-i-FOR-meez) a large taxonomic order that includes other bird families with pleasant songs such as the thrushes, the vireos, and the mockingbirds.

Carolina wren vs house wren