Wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous, except for their loud and often complex songs. These birds have short wings and they cannot see at night. Several species often hold their tails upright and sleep on the ground. Wrens are insectivorous, eating insects and spiders but they will also eat fish, small rodents and lizards. The dominating colors of their plumage are drab, composed of grey, brown, black and white, and most species show some barring, especially to tail and/or wings. There is no sexual dimorphism in the plumage of wrens, and little difference between young birds and adults.

Wrens are principally a New World Family, distributed from Alaska and Canada to southern Argentina. A single species, the Winter Wren, is found not only in North America but also in Eastern Asia, Europe and marginally into North Africa. They species in a wide range of habitats, ranging from dry, sparsely wooded country to rainforest. The vast majority are found at low levels.

[Abstracted from Wikipedia]

Genus Campylorhynchus

Wren, Cactus Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus   Found: North America (southwestern USA, Mexico)
Photographed by: 1) Alan D Wilson - Martin Homestead Refuge, Edinburg, Texas
   2) Elaine R Wilson  - Visitor's Center, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
   3, 4) Alan Vernon   5, 6) New Jersy Birds - Arizona




Genus Catherpes - 1 species

Wren, Canyon Catherpes mexicanus   Found: North America
Photographed by: Jerry Oldenettel - New Mexico



Genus Cistothorus

Wren, Marsh  Cistothorus palustris  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Winnu - British Columbia  2) Elaine Wilson - Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Ladner, British Columbia



Genus Salpinctes - 1 species

Wren, Rock Salpinctes obsoletus   Found: North America and Central America
Photographed by: 1) Alan D Wilson - Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Near San Antonio, New Mexico 



Genus Thryothorus - 1 species

Wren, Carolina Thryothorus ludovicianus   Found: North America (eastern)
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - South Carolina  2) New Jersy Birds



Genus Thryomanes - 1 species

Wren, Berwick's  Thryomanes bewickii  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Charlie Westerinen along the Carson River in Nevada



Genus Troglodytes

Wren, House Troglodytes aedon   Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1) S. King  2) New Jersy Birds


Wren, Southern House  Troglodytes (aedon) musculus  Found: South America Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 4) Dario Sanches - Brazil


Wren, Winter  Troglodytes troglodytes  Found: North America, Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Robert Lorch  2) Sylvain Haye - France








The gnatcatchers occur in North and South America . Most species of this mainly tropical and subtropical group are resident, but the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the USA and southern Canada migrates south in winter. They are close relatives of the wrens.

These dainty birds are intermediate between "Old World warblers" and wrens in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly soft bluish grey in color, and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (esp. males) and long, regularly cocked, black-and-white tails.

[Abstracted from Wikipedia]


Genus Polioptila

Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed Polioptila melanura   Found: North America
Photographed by:    1, 2) Charlie Westerinen - Anza Borrego Park in California
1, 2) Male


Gnatcatcher, Blue-grey Polioptila caerulea   Found: North America and Central America
Photographed by: 1) mctheriot - Moraine Hills Park, Illinois  2) Elainer R. Wilson - Borrego Springs, California 
    3, 4) Dick Daniels - North Carolina


Gnatcatcher, Cuban Polioptila lembeyei  Found: Cuba
Photographed by: Dominic Sherony


Gnatcatcher, Masked  Polioptila dumicola  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 4) Cláudio Timm in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
1, 2, 3) Male  4) Female




There is disagreement over where to place the Donacobius. Some have suggested that they are relasted to wrens.
Genus Donacobius - 1 species

Donacobius, Black-capped  Donacobius atricapilla  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by:  1) Claudio Timm - the Amazon, Brazil  2) Dario Sanches