# Northern House Wren (*Troglodytes aedon*) The Northern House Wren is a small, cheerful bird that loves to sing! They build their nests in cozy places like birdhouses and tree holes, making them fun to watch. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 42 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Northern House Wren](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/House_wren_in_Prospect_Park_%2823218%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:House_wren_in_Prospect_Park_%2823218%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern House Wren is a tiny, active bird with dull brown plumage over most of its body, often appearing grayish on the underside. It has faint barring on its wings and tail, a short, slightly upturned tail, and a slender, dark bill. This plain appearance helps it blend into its natural environment. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Troglodytidae - **Genus:** Troglodytes ## Interesting facts - A male wren might build several 'dummy' nests for a female to choose her favorite from! - Despite their small size, these wrens often chase away much bigger birds from their territory. - House Wrens often reuse birdhouses or abandoned nests from other species to raise their families. - Their scientific name, 'Troglodytes', means 'cave-dweller,' referring to their love for cavities. ## Special abilities - **Super Sonic Song:** Northern House Wrens have a complex, bubbly song that helps them defend territory and attract mates. - **Nesting Nuisance:** Northern House Wrens can fill cavities with twigs, sometimes preventing other birds from nesting there. - **Insect Inspector:** Northern House Wrens can deftly forage for insects in dense vegetation, helping control pest populations. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 11-13 cm - **Wingspan:** 12-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.012 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-10 - **Incubation:** 12-15 days - **Migration Distance:** 1500 km ## Diet & Feeding These small birds are amazing insect hunters, snatching up tiny bugs to eat! - **Primary Foods:** Beetles, Spiders, Caterpillars, Grasshoppers, Ants, Flies - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — House wrens are common prey for cats. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes can raid nests, eating eggs or chicks. - **Hunts:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Wrens actively hunt various spider species. - **Hunts:** Tobacco Hornworm (*Manduca sexta*) — Caterpillars are a main food source, especially for young. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern House Wren? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern House Wren? 11-13 cm ### What is Northern House Wren's wingspan? 12-18 cm ### How much does Northern House Wren weigh? 0.01-0.012 kg ### How long does Northern House Wren live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Northern House Wren move? 35 km/h ### What does Northern House Wren eat? These small birds are amazing insect hunters, snatching up tiny bugs to eat! ### Where is Northern House Wren usually found? Urban areas ## Where to spot - [Arastradero Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arastradero-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Awbury Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/awbury-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Cleveland Cultural Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-cultural-gardens) — Ohio, US · Park - [Cleveland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-park) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Concord Monument Square-Lexington Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord-monument-square-lexington-road-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dubuque-arboretum-and-botanical-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Northern House Wren](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-house-wren) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Northern House Wren: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-house-wren)