Key Facts

• Size: 8 - 10.5 cm

• Weight: 10 g

• Diet: Insects such as moths, spiders, flies, harvestmen

• Season: All year round

• Observation Tip: Forests, gardens, parks, field edges; blackberry hedges in moist forests, shrubs, perennials

Photography Tips

• Lens: From 400 mm

• Difficulty Level: Medium

The Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) is a small bird measuring only 9-10.5 cm in size and weighing 10 g. Its rust-brown banded plumage allows it to blend perfectly into nature. It mainly feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, moving skillfully by hopping through the undergrowth. Although the Wren is considered a poor flyer, it can still move agilely with its short wings.

However, its song is unmistakable and impressively loud; despite its small size, it can reach a volume of up to 90 decibels, and its song can be heard from a distance of up to 500 meters. The breeding season of the Wren begins in late April and lasts for about two weeks, during which the female is solely responsible for incubating and feeding the young. The tiny eggs, weighing less than 1.4 grams and measuring only 17 by 12.5 millimeters, are laid during this time.

In Central Europe, the Wren is predominantly a sedentary bird, and its presence is widespread worldwide. Despite its inconspicuousness and its linear lifestyle along streams and rivers, it is one of the most common bird species in Europe. Although the population of the Wren can be influenced by climatic fluctuations, it is generally considered stable, and its distinctive songs make it a fascinating bird.