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10 Types of Wrens (with Photos)

Wrens are some of the most energetic and vocal birds in North America. These small, brown songbirds are known for their upright tails, lively movements, and loud, complex songs that carry through forests, marshes, and backyards. While they may not be as colorful as other bird species, their bold personalities make them a favorite among birdwatchers. If you’ve spotted a wren flitting through the underbrush or heard its bubbly song, this article will help you identify it. Let’s take a look at the 10 type of wrens found in North America.

Wren Characteristics

Before we dive into each species, let’s look at some of the things that all wrens have in common.

  • Small size – Most wrens are compact birds, typically between 4–8 inches in length.
  • Thin, slightly curved bill – Adapted for probing insects and small prey.
  • Upright tail – Often held cocked up at an angle, a signature wren posture.
  • Earth-toned plumage – Mostly brown, tan, or gray, with subtle streaking or barring.
  • Energetic and active – Always hopping, flitting, or moving around quickly.
  • Secretive but vocal – Often heard before they’re seen, as they prefer dense vegetation or undergrowth.
  • Complex, loud songs – Most species have rich, melodious, and rapid songs such at high volume
  • Insectivorous – Primarily feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
  • Cavity or domed nest builders – Build nests in tree cavities, rock crevices, or dense brush, often enclosed with a side entrance.
  • Males build multiple nests – In many species, males construct multiple nests to present to the female, who then chooses one for laying eggs.

10 Types of Wrens

Let’s take a look at the ten wren species that are found in the United States and Canada. At the end, we’ll list all the additional species that are still considered part of North America, but are only found in Mexico. 

1. Rock Wren

rock wren | image credit: Hovenweep National Monument
  • Scientific Name: Salpinctes obsoletus
  • Wingspan: 8.7 – 9.4 inches
  • Size: 4.9 – 5.9 inches

The adaptable rock wren can be found across western North America, from summers in the south of Canada to year-round through Mexico and into Central America. At home in sparse landscapes, find rock wrens in dry, rocky habitats with minimal vegetation. Adults have medium-brown upperparts with sandy-light underparts. They have fine speckling on their wings and back, and a pale eyebrow stripe.

One way rock wrens have adapted to these dry, treeless landscapes is by building their nests in rock crevices. In the rock cavity, the couple will construct a nest together out of grass, bark, moss and animal hair. The nest is build on a foundations of sticks or small stones. Interestingly, they often build a ‘walkway’ of stones and other small, found objects that extends from inside their nest out into the open. Scientists still don’t understand why they do this, but it may be an attempt by the wrens to camouflage their entrance hole. 

Another adaptation for these dry-habitat birds is, they don’t drink water. Rather than spending time trying to find small creeks or puddles to sip from, rock wrens get all the water they require from the insects they eat.


2. Canyon Wren

canyon wren1
Canyon Wren Bettina Arrigoni, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Scientific Name: Catherpes mexicanus
  • Wingspan: 7 to 8 inches
  • Size: 4.5 to 6 inches

Canyon wrens are spread across the western United States and much of Mexico. They are found in arid landscapes with steep cliffs, boulder piles, and steep-sided canyons. Not only do they nest among the ledges and crevices of these rocky walls, they creep along the cliff face using their sharp toes and probe the cracks for food.

Adult canyon wrens have a brown back with fine white & black speckles, a cinnamon belly and tail with black stripes, and a white throat and breast. Their unique song is easy to pick out, often described as sweet, liquid notes that slowly descend and trail off. Both males and females sing, but males have a richer sound.


3. House Wren (Northern)

  • Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon
  • Wingspan: 5.9 inches
  • Size: 4.3 to 5.1 inches

House wrens are on the smaller side for wrens. They are brownish-gray with dark barring on the wings and tail. Unlike some other species, they don’t have any stand-out features. Quite widespread, they are found across North and South America, from Canada to Argentina. In 2024 they were split into the northern house wren and the southern house wren, to help differentiate their ranges. In the U.S., they breed across most of the country and winter in the southern states and Mexico.

House wrens build nests in cavities, including tree holes, nest boxes, and even odd places like old boots or flowerpots. Any backyard birdhouse is sure to at least get checked out by a house wren. Males construct multiple “dummy nests,” and females choose one to complete and lay eggs.

The best way to know if they are hanging around your yard is their loud and bubbly song, often a long series of fast, high-pitched warbles and churrs. During the breeding season males sing several times per minute for most of the day.


4. Pacific Wren

pacific wren
Pacific Wren | image by cookierace via Flickr | CC BY 2.0
  • Scientific Name: Troglodytes pacificus
  • Wingspan: 4.7 to 6.3 inches
  • Size: 3.1 to 4.7 inches

The Pacific Wren is found along the west coast of North America, from southern Alaska down through California. While some individuals stay in mild coastal areas year-round, northern populations migrate to lower elevations or slightly south for winter. 

They prefer dense coniferous forests with plenty of undergrowth, fallen logs, tree stumps, moss and ferns. Pacific wrens are dark brown all over with some barring and speckling. 

Pacific Wrens nest in hidden spots such as tree root tangles, fallen logs, or rock crevices, with males constructing several nests. He leads the female around to each one and lets her choose. If you live within their range, you may be able to attract them by putting up a nestbox. 

Pacific wrens have sometimes been seen, flocking to streams where salmon are spawning. After they spawn the salmon die, and the large numbers of dead fish attract lots of insects that the wrens want to feast on.


5. Winter Wren

winter wren
Winter Wren Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan from Aliabad, Hunza, Pakistan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wiki Commons
  • Scientific Name: Troglodytes hiemalis
  • Wingspan: 4.7 to 6.3 inches
  • Size: 3.1 to 4.7 inches

Closely resembling the Pacific Wren, the Winter Wren is also a mostly uniformly brown bird with heavy barring and a short tail. They inhabit moist forests across eastern North America, breeding in Canada and the northeastern U.S. before migrating to the mid-atlantic and southeastern states for winter.

Winter wrens nests in tree cavities, mossy nooks, and root tangles, often choosing hidden locations with thick vegetation. Inside their chosen crevice, a dome-shaped nest is built. As with many wren species, males build several and let the female choose. She will finish off the nest by adding soft material to lay the eggs on.

In some places the range of the pacific wren overlaps with the very similar winter wren. They each sing a different song however, and females are able to tell them apart, minimizing inter-breeding. Winter wrens have a big voice, able to sing with 10 times more power than a crowing rooster, per unit weight.


6. Sedge Wren

Sedge_Wren
Sedge Wren Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Scientific Name: Cistothorus stellaris
  • Wingspan: 4.7 to 5.5 inches
  • Size: 3.9 to 4.7 inches

The Sedge Wren is primarily found in wet meadows with tall grasses, marshy grasslands, and sedge fields across the central and eastern U.S. It breeds in the northern U.S. and southern Canada, then migrates to the southeastern U.S. and Mexico for winter. These small wrens have a pale belly and throat, streaky brown back and a finely streaked crown.

Unlike other wrens, it builds a ball-shaped nest hidden in tall grass or sedges, carefully woven to blend into its surroundings. Males construct multiple nests, with the female selecting one for egg-laying.

Its song consists of sharp, choppy chip-chip-chip notes, which are less musical than those of other wrens. Sedge Wrens are also known for their nomadic tendencies, shifting breeding locations from year to year rather than returning to the same nesting sites.


7. Marsh Wren

Marsh Wren
Marsh Wren Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Scientific Name: Cistothorus palustris
  • Wingspan: 5.9 inches
  • Size: 3.9 to 5.5 inches

Marsh wrens have rusty-brown upperparts with black & white streaks on their back. Their throat and belly is pale, and they have a light eyebrow stripe. These wrens are well adapted to life in wetlands. They breed in marshes and cattail-filled wetlands across the northern U.S. and Canada, migrating to the southern U.S. and Mexico for winter. Experts at balancing among the reeds, they are often seen with each foot on a different stalk. 

Males build elaborate woven nests attached to reeds or cattails, shaped like a dome with a side entrance. Males construct multiple nests and aggressively defend their territory, even destroying the eggs of rival wrens. In this species, males often mate with two or more females, and build six or more nests for each female to choose from. That’s a lot of nest construction!

Its song is a fast, chattering series of gurgling notes, often delivered from a high perch in the reeds. Marsh Wrens are secretive birds, typically heard before they are seen as they weave through dense vegetation.


8. Carolina Wren

Carolina wren perching on wood
Carolina wren perching on wood | image by Shenandoah National Park via Flickr
  • Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
  • Wingspan: 11.4 inches
  • Size: 4.7 to 5.5 inches

A bold and energetic bird, the Carolina Wren is easily identified by its rich reddish-brown plumage, buffy underparts, bright white eyebrow, and slightly curved bill. It is a year-round resident in much of the eastern United States except in the far north, although their range has slowly been moving further north over the last few decades. 

These wrens prefer woodlands, brushy areas, and suburban gardens, making them one of the wren species you are most likely to see in your own backyard. Unlike migratory wrens, it stays put even during cold winters, often huddling in sheltered spots to survive.

Carolina Wrens build their bulky, domed nests in tree cavities, mailboxes, hanging plants, or even inside sheds, showing a remarkable ability to adapt to human environments. Their song is unmistakable—a loud, ringing teakettle, teakettle, teakettle!—making them one of the most easily recognized backyard birds. Despite their small size, they are fiercely territorial and inquisitive, often investigating new objects in their environment. They may be attracted to mealworm or suet feeders.


9. Bewick’s Wren

Bewicks_Wren
Bewick’s WrenMinette Layne, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Scientific Name: Thryomanes bewickii
  • Size: 5.1 inches

The Bewick’s Wren is a slender, brown bird with a long tail, bold white eyebrow, and pale grayish belly. In humid regions their plumage is more brown, and in drier regions their plumage is more gray. Bewick’s wren is commonly found in brushy areas, open woodlands, and suburban gardens across the western and central U.S. Once widespread in the eastern U.S., its population declined due to competition with House Wrens.

Unlike some other wren species, it is mostly non-migratory, though some northern populations move slightly south in winter. It nests in tree cavities, nest boxes, and under eaves, with males constructing multiple nests to attract a mate. Aside from putting up a nestbox, you can try to attract them with mealworms or by planting native shrubs like willow, mesquite, elderberry and chaparral.

The Bewick’s Wren has a varied, musical song, with different populations developing distinct regional dialects. It frequently flicks its tail while singing, adding to its expressive behavior.


10. Cactus Wren

Cactus wren
Cactus Wren | image via Pixabay
  • Scientific Name: Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
  • Size: 7.1 to 8.7 inches

The Cactus Wren is the largest wren species in North America, easily recognized by its spotted chest, long tail and bold white eyebrow. They thrive in deserts across the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, favoring areas with cacti, dry scrub, and rocky outcroppings. They are non-migratory, remaining in their desert habitat year-round.

Cactus Wrens build large, domed nests within cactus plants like cholla or saguaro, using the spines as natural protection against predators. These wrens even construct multiple nests, using some for roosting and others for breeding. Grasshoppers are a food-of-choice when feeding their babies, and they have to catch a lot of keep up with their growing babies. One nestling cactus wren needs to eat at least 14 grasshoppers a day!

Their song is a raspy, mechanical series of notes, often compared to a car engine struggling to start. Highly adapted to desert life, they get most of their water from food rather than drinking.


Wrens of Mexico

Since Mexico is part of North America, we didn’t want to leave them out. Many of the wren’s we’ve talked about, like the rock wren and cactus wren, are also found in Mexico. But Mexico has an amazing 21 wren species that are not found anywhere else in North America!

  1. Nightingale Wren – A shy, forest-dwelling wren known for its hauntingly beautiful, flute-like song, often heard but rarely seen in dense tropical understory.
  2. Sumichrast’s Wren – An elusive Mexican endemic that prefers limestone outcroppings and rocky forests, making it one of the least studied wrens.
  3. Nava’s Wren – Found only in a small part of Mexico, this wren lives in limestone karst habitats and has one of the most restricted ranges of any North American wren.
  4. Rufous-brown Wren – A mostly Central American wren with warm reddish-brown plumage, found in the Chiapas mountains of southern Mexico.
  5. Grass Wren – A cryptic, ground-dwelling wren of high-altitude grasslands in, often mistaken for a sparrow due to its habitat and behavior.
  6. Band-backed Wren – A large, boldly patterned wren of tropical forests, often traveling in noisy family groups and known for its complex, chattering vocalizations.
  7. Gray-barred Wren – A rare and strikingly barred wren of the Mexican highlands, preferring humid oak and pine forests.
  8. Giant Wren – The largest wren species, reaching up to 9 inches long, found only in a small region of southern Mexico, where it often nests in trees near human settlements.
  9. Rufous-naped Wren – A sociable, cooperative breeder, often living in extended family groups.
  10. Spotted Wren – A boldly patterned Mexican highland species, easily recognized by its white-spotted chest and active, inquisitive nature.
  11. Boucard’s Wren – A highland wren endemic to Mexico, often found hopping around rocky slopes and scrubby habitats.
  12. Yucatan Wren – Found only on the Yucatán Peninsula, this wren is restricted to coastal scrublands and mangroves, making it highly localized.
  13. Spot-breasted Wren – A widespread tropical wren with distinct dark spotting on its chest, often found in shrubby, second-growth habitats.
  14. Happy Wren – Named for its cheerful, bubbling song, this wren lives in Mexico and Central America, often staying hidden in dense vegetation.
  15. Sinaloa Wren – A secretive wren of northwestern Mexico, preferring dry thorn forests where it sings a rich, melodious song.
  16. Banded Wren – this species is easily recognized by its fine banding and beautiful, whistling song.
  17. Rufous-and-white Wren – A striking wren with bold rufous and white coloration, known for its clear, whistled duet songs between mated pairs.
  18. Cabanis’s Wren – A forest-dwelling wren closely related to the Carolina Wren but found in tropical settings.
  19. White-bellied Wren – A skulking species of dense tropical undergrowth, rarely seen but frequently heard delivering rapid, chattering calls.
  20. White-breasted Wood-Wren – A forest specialist that thrives in humid, tropical woodlands, often foraging near the forest floor.
  21. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren – A secretive, highland forest wren, known for its sweet, whistled song that echoes through misty cloud forests.

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