Northern House Wren Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  Small and compact, with a flat head and fairly long, curved beak. Short-winged, often keeping its longish tail either cocked above the line of the body or slightly drooped.

  Relative Size

  Smaller than a Carolina Wren; chickadee-sized.

  sparrow-sized or smaller

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
    • Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (10-12 g)
    • Wingspan: 5.9 in (15 cm)

  © Andy Witchger / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Subdued brown overall with darker barring on the wings and tail. The pale eyebrow that is characteristic of so many wren species is much fainter in Northern House Wrens.

• Behavior

  Bubbly and energetic, just like their songs. Look for Northern House Wrens hopping quickly through tangles and low branches and, in spring and summer, frequently pausing to deliver cheerful trilling songs.
• Habitat

  In summer, Northern House Wrens are at home in open forests, forest edges, and areas with scattered grass and trees. Backyards, farmyards, and city parks are perfect for them. In winter they become more secretive, preferring brushy tangles, thickets, and hedgerows.

Regional Differences

Ornithologists recognize two Northern House Wren subspecies groups: "Northern" and "Brown-throated." The "Northern" group is the one found across nearly all of the wren's range in the U.S. and Canada, while the "Brown-throated" group stretches from extreme southeastern Arizona to Oaxaca, Mexico. The "Brown-throated" group has a distinct buffy eyebrow and a cinnamon-buff throat and chest.

Regional Photos

© Andy Witchger / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, May 03, 2017

© Nigel Voaden / Macaulay LibrarySinaloa, April 14, 2015