Wrens and Dunnocks

Question

Chez's post on his tame wren got me thinking (as well as getting me jealous!). 
 I've always thought I never had any wrens, but after reading his post, I had a look at the wren page on the RSPB site, and now I'm not sure. Maybe one or both of the birds in my garden that I thought were dunnocks are in fact wrens. 
 Can anyone give me some hints on telling the difference? 
 In a way, it would be a shame if they aren't dunnocks, because whenever I see them I like to sing "Dun-nock, Dun-nock" to the tune of the Pink Panther (yeah, yeah, I know, I'm really sad). On the other hand, it would be fun if they were wrens because I could add them to my computer list of birds I have seen in my garden (yeah, yeah, I know, I'm really sad). Either way, it looks like I am doomed to be a garden bird anorak... 
 BB

Diogenes · Accepted Answer

Dunnock is much more likely to be on the lawn or the path than a wren is. A wren is far more likely to be hopping about in the base of a hedge or bush. You often get a clear view of a dunnock for several seconds. You usually catch a few frustratingly brief glimpses of a wren. A wren lands and cocks its tail up, a dunnock doesn't. A dunnock is easily mistaken for an "unmarked sparrow", and a wren isn't. A dunnock looks like a female house sparrow, but with a plain greyish front, and without the eye makeup.

Buzzard · Answer

Hi Badgerbread, the Wren is one of the UK smallest birds length 3 1/2 to 4in. The Dunnock is 5 1/2in. 
 The best way to describe a Wren is a tiny mouse with wings! 
 The following links will give you a detailed description of both species. 
 http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/323_WrenTtroglodytes.pdf 
 http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/324_DunnockPmodularis.pdf 
 Hope this helps! 
 Regards Buzzard