Northern House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
Northern House Wrens are common and widespread summer residents throughout much of Oregon, especially in open woodlands, thickets, parks, and residential areas. They are known for their energetic behavior, constantly flitting through shrubs with their short tail often cocked upward, and for their loud, bubbling, jumbled song.
When it comes to differentiating male and female Northern House Wrens in Oregon, it's virtually impossible based on plumage alone. Both sexes share almost identical drab brown coloration.
Overall Coloration: They are a plain, subdued brown bird overall, often described as grayish-brown or rufous-brown, with darker barring on the wings and tail.
Underparts: Their underparts are typically dull gray or pale buffy-brown, without strong markings.
Head: Their head is brown, with a faint or indistinct pale eyebrow (supercilium) that is not as prominent as in some other wren species (like Bewick's Wren).
Bill: They have a relatively long, slender, and slightly decurved bill.
Body Shape: They are small, compact birds with a rather flat head and a short, often cocked tail.
How to Differentiate Male and Female Northern House Wrens (Behavioral Differences):
Since visual identification is not reliable, the best way to distinguish between male and female Northern House Wrens is through their behavior, especially during the breeding season (spring and summer in Oregon):
1. Song: This is the most reliable way. Only the male Northern House Wren sings its characteristic long, gurgling, bubbly song, often described as a "rush-and-jumble" of notes that rises and then descends. Males sing frequently and vigorously to defend their territory and attract a mate. Females do make calls, but their vocalizations are generally shorter, less melodic, and often in response to the male.
2. Nest Building: During courtship, the male builds several "dummy" nests by filling cavities (tree hollows, old woodpecker holes, or even birdhouses, mailboxes, or other odd crevices) with twigs. The female then inspects these sites and chooses one, adding softer lining materials like grasses, feathers, and hair to finish the actual nest where she will lay eggs.
3. Incubation: The female alone incubates the eggs. The male will continue to provision her with food while she is on the nest.
4. Parental Care: Both parents participate in feeding the young after they hatch.
When it comes to differentiating male and female Northern House Wrens in Oregon, it's virtually impossible based on plumage alone. Both sexes share almost identical drab brown coloration.
Overall Coloration: They are a plain, subdued brown bird overall, often described as grayish-brown or rufous-brown, with darker barring on the wings and tail.
Underparts: Their underparts are typically dull gray or pale buffy-brown, without strong markings.
Head: Their head is brown, with a faint or indistinct pale eyebrow (supercilium) that is not as prominent as in some other wren species (like Bewick's Wren).
Bill: They have a relatively long, slender, and slightly decurved bill.
Body Shape: They are small, compact birds with a rather flat head and a short, often cocked tail.
How to Differentiate Male and Female Northern House Wrens (Behavioral Differences):
Since visual identification is not reliable, the best way to distinguish between male and female Northern House Wrens is through their behavior, especially during the breeding season (spring and summer in Oregon):
1. Song: This is the most reliable way. Only the male Northern House Wren sings its characteristic long, gurgling, bubbly song, often described as a "rush-and-jumble" of notes that rises and then descends. Males sing frequently and vigorously to defend their territory and attract a mate. Females do make calls, but their vocalizations are generally shorter, less melodic, and often in response to the male.
2. Nest Building: During courtship, the male builds several "dummy" nests by filling cavities (tree hollows, old woodpecker holes, or even birdhouses, mailboxes, or other odd crevices) with twigs. The female then inspects these sites and chooses one, adding softer lining materials like grasses, feathers, and hair to finish the actual nest where she will lay eggs.
3. Incubation: The female alone incubates the eggs. The male will continue to provision her with food while she is on the nest.
4. Parental Care: Both parents participate in feeding the young after they hatch.