Troglodytes troglodytes
(Winter Wren)

Physical Description:
4-4 1/2" (10-11 cm). Stubby, little brown wren with a short tail usually held erect. Darker brown baring and white specks both above and below.

Similar Species- House Wren

Song:
Rapid, high-pitched, incessant warbling.

Distribution:
Resident from southern Alaska, east across portions of Canada to Labrador, and south to central California, Idaho, Minnesota, southern Appalachians, and New Jersey. Winters from southern part of breeding range, south to southern California, Texas, Gulf Coast, and Florida.

Found in coniferous forests (primarily near water and with dense understory), and in open areas with low cover along rocky coasts, cliffs, islands, high mountain areas, or logged areas with large amounts of slash. During winter and in migration, also found in deciduous woods with understory, thickets, and brusy fields. Preliminary results of northern Idaho study found species was more abundant in continuous old growth than in fragmented or selectively harvested stands.

Diet:
Feeds almost entirely on insects (e.g., beetles, Diptera, caterpillars) and spiders.

Ecology:
Secretive. Nests in natural (sometimes excavated) cavity, preferably in standing snag or hollow tree. Male may construct dummy nest. Individuals obtain food from ground surface, or from substrates within 3 m of ground.

Reproduction:
Female incubates 4-7 eggs (commonly 5-6), for 14-17 days. Young are tended by both parents, and leave nest in 15-20 days.

Conservation:

Element Code:	ABPBG09050
Status:	Protected nongame species
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S5
National Rank:	N5

Important State References:
Hejl, S.J. and L.C. Paige. 1993. Birds in continuous and fragmented forests of western red cedar/western hemlock in northern Idaho: a preliminary assessment. Draft manuscript, Inter. Res. Sta., USDA Forest Service, Missoula. 18pp.