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Bird Sounds: House Wren

House Wren
Written By: Heidi Stonehill Executive Editor

Few birds pack as much personality and melody into such a small package as the house wren. This pint-sized powerhouse, measuring a mere 5 inches, is a common sight and sound in backyards across North America. But don’t underestimate this energetic songbird—beyond its charming chirp lies a fascinating story of resilience, resourcefulness, and audacious song.

The house wren may be small and plain, but it makes up for it with a loud bird song! You’ve probably seen this plain brown bird around your garage or backyard. Take a listen!

Here, you can identify the sounds and bird songs of the House Wren. Compliments of The Macaulay Library at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

The House Wren

  • Unmatched Songbird: Prepare to be serenaded! House wrens hold the title of North America’s most prolific singer, capable of delivering over 2,000 songs per day. Their repertoire includes mimicry of other birds, creating a delightful mash-up of chirps and whistles.
  • The Early Bird Gets the Song: Hear their sweet melodies first thing in the morning! House wrens are among the first birds to start singing at dawn, filling the air with their joyful tunes.
     

Beyond the Backyard Bird Songs

A Champion of Bug Control: These natural pest controllers are a gardener’s delight. House wrens diligently hunt insects like spiders, beetles, and caterpillars, providing free pest control for your garden.

Tiny Architects, Big Nests: Don’t let their size fool you! House wrens are skilled nest builders, creating cozy abodes in unexpected places like mailboxes or even discarded shoes. Their nests are often lined with feathers and soft materials, offering a sanctuary for their young.

Fierce Guardians: Despite their diminutive size, house wrens fiercely defend their territories and nests. They’ll boldly chase away much larger birds, reminding us that size isn’t everything!

How to Attract Wren to Your Backyard

Offer Up a Cozy Home: Provide nest boxes specifically designed for house wrens. Use natural materials like gourds or recycled birdhouses and place them in sheltered locations at least 5 feet above the ground.

Food for Thought: Plant insect-attracting flowers and shrubs like elderberry or viburnum to entice their favorite snacks. Keep bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds and crushed peanuts.

A Water Retreat: A clean water source, like a birdbath or shallow pond, will be a welcome addition where wrens can bathe and keep themselves hydrated.

More Than Just a Song

The house wren, with its tireless singing, clever nesting, and fierce spirit, is a captivating presence in any backyard. By understanding their habits and providing them with a suitable habitat, we can invite these delightful songsters to share our spaces and celebrate their natural wonders. So, listen closely to their charming chirps, observe their nest-building skills, and appreciate the vital role they play in our ecosystem. You might just find yourself falling in love with the tiny bird with the big voice!

Click here to listen to the sounds of other birds! 

Have you heard a House Wren? Add your comments below. Be sure to let us know where you live or where you’ve heard this bird sound before!

Bird Sounds

About The Author

Heidi Stonehill

Heidi Stonehill

Executive Editor

Heidi Stonehill is the Executive Editor for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, joining the team in 2001. As such, she manages the content development of the Almanac’s line of wall, engagement, box, and special...

Read more from Heidi Stonehill

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Comments

<span>Jan Schwarz</span> Tue, 07/03/2018 - 21:11
We live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado July 3, 2018 We put up a bluebird birdhouse this spring and the wrens have taken it over! To watch them trying to get sticks into their new home is hysterical! Every inch is filled with sticks! If there are eggs in there we cannot begin to see them! Mamma bird is flying in and out more often! We are waiting patiently to see the family!
<span>Elaine</span> Sun, 01/14/2018 - 15:53
we have a greenhouse that right now has become a winter home to two wrens. never again will I use the phrase, "bird brain" without reverence. both birds have discovered how to come and go as they please by way of the louver that is open just enough to let air in so that the heater won't turn off. we are now card-carrying members of a "mutual admiration society."
<span>Wanda Beavis</span> Thu, 08/10/2017 - 17:53
Have a birdhouse on my deck that has been used by chickadees for past few years. This year the Wrens have taken over and have a houseful of noisy babies. Really cute and so musical. My grandchildren just love to watch and listen to them. I'm from Peterborough, Ontario- Aug. 9, 2017.
<span>Kerrin Tenneson</span> Sun, 07/23/2017 - 14:37
I've just discovered that the little brown bird nesting in one of my birdhouses is a house wren. Male and female are very attentive to their babies and are extremely protective of the nest if we are get too close.
<span>Larry</span> Fri, 06/16/2017 - 18:35
We live in Stanstead, Quebec and we have house wrens nesting here for the first year of our 6 years here. I have recorded some songs from them on my IPhone. I play the songs back to them and they call back to me and come flying at me. They are going in and out of the house quite often now, so patiently waiting to get a glimpse of the babies!
<span>Kathy S.</span> Tue, 06/28/2016 - 12:16
House Wrens have started using the "house" I bought for them. I live in Maquoketa, IA.
<span>Carol</span> Sun, 05/29/2016 - 09:13
I live in the Cleveland, OH area and have welcomed these feisty little birds to my garden every spring..have a family of them now in nesting boxes I have outside my kitchen window..they greet me every morning!
<span>Chad</span> Mon, 05/16/2016 - 17:47
I found a sound of one on my phone and the few I have in my yard came flying toward me as I played their song ! I love these little birds and now my son loves their songs as well and begs me to play their song on my phone so they come fly to us . Boston ma
<span>Connie</span> Sat, 04/02/2016 - 18:38
I absolutely adore house wrens. There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting on the patio, drinking my morning coffee and listening to them. Can't wait until their return each spring. I live in North Central Indiana.
<span>Colleen</span> Fri, 02/26/2016 - 08:31
I look forward to early spring when these little guys come back to look for nesting spots. I put out a birdhouse for them and they raise 2 broods in a pretty quick time. However this year I am trying to have bluebirds nest so I am not putting out the wren house, since they stuffed it up with twigs to make it unusable to other birds.