Winter Wren Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesWinter Wren
Plump round ball with a stubby tail that it usually holds up. Brown overall with barring on the belly, tail, and wings. Paler below.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, January 14, 2021Small wren with a short tail and thin bill. Brown overall, but paler below with darker barring on the wings, tail, and belly.
© Scott Martin / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, January 06, 2020Often bobs its entire body as if doing squats while they nervously look around in the forest understory. In flight they rapidly beat their tiny wings to move short distances between cover.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 14, 2014Not all videos have sound
© Paul Jones / Macaulay LibraryOntario, October 03, 2020
Plump, round wren with a thin bill. Brown overall with darker barring on the wings, belly, and tail. Note pale white eyebrow.
© Fyn Kynd / Macaulay LibraryMaine, April 08, 2017Often bobs entire body as if doing squats while they nervously look around in the forest understory.
© Davey Walters / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 04, 2016© Oliver Patrick / Macaulay LibraryConnecticut, November 27, 2020
Found in deciduous and evergreen forests with plenty of downed logs, standing dead trees, larger trees, and understory vegetation.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 28, 2016Similar SpeciesPacific Wren
Adult/immature
The Pacific Wren is nearly identical to the Winter Wren, but there’s almost no range overlap. Winter Wrens occur in the East and Pacific Wrens in the West—west of the Great Plains, although the two species do come into contact in northeastern British Columbia in Canada.
© Cameron Eckert / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, October 23, 2016Similar SpeciesHouse Wren
Adult/immature
House Wrens are more widespread, less shy, and more likely to be found in backyards than Winter Wrens. House Wrens have longer tails than Winter Wrens and have less barring on the flanks.
© Andy Witchger / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, May 03, 2017Similar SpeciesMarsh Wren
Adult/immature
Marsh Wrens have boldly streaked marks on their backs that Winter Wrens lack, and live in wet marshy areas, places that Winter Wrens avoid.
© Tony V / Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 15, 2017Similar SpeciesBewick's Wren
Adult/immature
Bewick’s Wrens are larger than Winter Wrens with a clean white eyebrow, an unstreaked gray belly, and an unstreaked brown back.
© DigiBirdTrek CA / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 30, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Wrens(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Troglodytidae)
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