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Wren

Troglodytes troglodytes

Not yet photographed by the community

One of Britain's smallest birds but with a huge voice.

Species Profile

Green List (Least Concern in the UK)

Lifespan: 2–3 years in the wild, occasionally up to 8 years
Size & Weight: 8–9 cm, wingspan 13–17 cm; 7–12 g
Habitat: Dense scrub, hedgerows, woodland edges, gardens, and reed beds with thick cover for shelter and foraging.
UK Distribution: Found throughout the UK including Scotland and Ireland; year-round resident with some continental birds supplementing populations in winter.
Diet: Primarily insects and spiders including beetles, flies, aphids, and caterpillars; occasionally takes small seeds and berries in winter.
Prey: Small invertebrates such as beetles, flies, spiders, and insect larvae
Predators: Cats, sparrowhawks, woodpeckers, and occasionally larger birds such as jays and magpies
Mating Season: March to August
Breeding: Clutch of 5–8 eggs, incubation period 14–15 days, fledging at 15–17 days; typically two broods per season, occasionally three
Behaviour: Highly territorial and vocal, with males singing loudly to defend territory and attract mates. Wrens are characteristically skulking birds, staying close to cover whilst foraging with rapid, jerky movements. They are renowned for their disproportionately loud song for their tiny size.

Did You Know?

•The Wren has the loudest song-to-body-size ratio of any British bird, with a song reaching up to 90 decibels
•Males build multiple 'cock nests' as shells, and the female selects one to line and complete before laying eggs
•Wrens can lower their body temperature at night to conserve energy, a survival strategy particularly important in winter
•The species name Troglodytes means 'cave dweller' in Greek, referring to their habit of nesting in cavities
•Winter roosts can be communal, with up to 60 wrens huddling together in a single cavity for warmth on cold nights

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