An archetypal LBJ (Little Brown Job), wrens could be overlooked in gardens, hedgerows and woodlands. But something about them draws you in. Molly Martin tells us five facts about these charismatic wee birds.
Small, round and loud.
Wrens are one of the smallest birds in the UK, missing out on the tiniest prize only to goldcrests and firecrests. They measure about 10cm from beak-tip to tail, and weigh around 7-12g. They have very round bodies, and often hold their tails up vertically. For such a small bird their voice is remarkably loud, and you’ll often hear a wren shouting at you from the undergrowth before (if!) you see it. It is often said that wrens have one of the loudest voices compared to weight in the animal kingdom, and produce the most decibels/gram of any bird!
Cave-dwellers
The scientific name for wrens is Troglodytes troglodytes, which means cave-dweller. This is because they like to nest in nooks and crannies, either cracks in tree bark or cavities in buildings. They will also make good use of bird boxes. In winter they will nest in large groups (over 60 have been recorded in one next box!) as a way to keep warm.
Insect-eaters
Wrens are mostly insectivores, using their sharp beak to pick at insects and spiders close to the ground. They will also eat seeds and berries, and can be seen visiting bird-feeders on the ground, or picking up crumbs that have fallen from hanging feeders.
Island hopping
In Scotland, we have a few types of wren. In Shetland, Fair Isle and the Outer Hebrides, wrens have become distinctly different from the Eurasian wren found on the mainland, and so are each considered their own sub-species. The differences are very subtle, look out for slightly different size, plumage and songs.
King of the birds
There is lots of folklore surrounding these little birds. One common theme names them as ‘King of the Birds’, likely originating from Aesop’s fable where the wren and the eagle compete to see who can fly the highest. The wren lands on the eagle’s back, so when the eagle could fly no higher, the wren wins the competition.
John Bridges
Main Image: a wren with its beak open on a branch. Ben Andrew