Bewick’s Wren

(Thryomanes bewickii)

LISTEN (Recordist: Bob Planque, XC37358; accessible at Xeno Canto.)

General Description: Slender with long tails, gray bellies, and brown backs. Their tails are barred with a small amount of white at the outer tips. The most distinctive field mark of the Bewick’s Wren is the bold white eye-line extending from just over the eye to the back of the neck.

Habitat: A mixture of shrub vegetation and open woodland, often in residential settings.

Behavior: Active foragers, they climb about on branches and tree trunks, probing crevices for food. They also feed on the ground, turning leaves with their bills. The Male sings to defend its nesting territory and attract a mate.

Diet: Primarily insects and spiders.

Range in North America: West Coast of the United States, east across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, and south into Mexico.

When to See in Washington: Year-round resident of Western Washington, often found in Eastern Washington.

For detailed information about Bewick’s Wren, visit Seattle Audubon’s BirdWeb.