Pacific Wren

Overview

Pacific Wren: Formally grouped with the Winter Wren, this bird is now considered its own species. A very small wren with barred, dark brown upperparts and buff eyebrows. May appear rufous brown. Brown underparts are lightly barred on flanks, belly, and undertail. Tail is very short and held upright. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Pacific Wren: Breeds along the Pacific coast from Alaska and British Columbia to California and inland as far as Wyoming and South Dakota. It migrates through and winters across the western United States and Canada. Found mostly in coniferous forests, prefers fir and spruce.

INTERESTING FACTS

Pacific Wrens will roost in groups in cold weather; 31 were found together in a nest box in western Washington in December 1924.
In 2010, the American Ornithologist's Union split the North American populations of the Winter Wren into two separate species, the Winter Wren is now found in the eastern parts of north America and Pacific Wren is found in the west.
A group of wrens has many collective nouns, including a "chime", "flight", "flock", and "herd" of wrens.