Wrens (Troglodytidae)
Winter Wren
Troglodytes hiemalis. Insects and spiders gleaned from tangles, logs and stream banks.
Wrens (Troglodytidae)Winter WrenTroglodytes hiemalis
- Scientific name
- Troglodytes hiemalis
- Length
- 3.1–4.7 in
- Weight
- 0.3–0.4 oz
- Nest
- Domed nest tucked into root tangles, stumps or crevices
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 4–9 eggs
- Incubation
- 14–16 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Tiny, round, dark-brown wren
- Stubby tail held upright
- Fine dark barring on wings and belly
Voice
An astonishingly long, silvery cascade of trills.
Diet and feeding
Insects and spiders gleaned from tangles, logs and stream banks.
Winter Wrens by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | May–July |
| California | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Iowa | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Michigan | Winter visitor | — |
| Minnesota | Winter visitor | — |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Nunavut | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Year-round resident | April–July |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Winter visitor | — |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | May–July |
Frequently asked
What do winter wrens eat?
Insects and spiders gleaned from tangles, logs and stream banks. At feeders: suet crumbs, mealworms.
How big is a Winter Wren?
3.1–4.7 in long and 0.3–0.4 oz.
Do winter wrens use birdhouses?
No. Domed nest tucked into root tangles, stumps or crevices.
Sources
- Winter Wren — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Winter Wren life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Winter Wren — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.