
Photo: (c) William Stephens, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0
Troglodytes troglodytes
Diet
Insects, larvae, spiders, millipedes, and aquatic invertebrates
Habitat
Dense woodland undergrowth, riparian vegetation, rocky crevices, scrub, and gardens
Range
Temperate Europe and much of Asia
Size
8–12 cm
Wingspan
12–16 cm
Weight
8–12 g
Eurasian wrens occur across temperate Europe and much of Asia, inhabiting dense woodland undergrowth, scrub, riparian vegetation, rocky crevices, and sheltered gardens. These tiny birds measure 8–12 centimetres, span 12–16 centimetres, and weigh only 8–12 grams. Their brown plumage carries dark barring across the wings, tail, and underside, with a pale eyebrow and lighter throat. The sexes look alike. A narrow bill and characteristically short, frequently upturned tail complete their compact appearance (Animal Diversity Web).
Wrens hunt close to the ground for insects, larvae, spiders, and millipedes, entering narrow spaces unavailable to larger insect-eating birds. Riparian individuals also take aquatic invertebrates. Breeding extends from approximately mid-March to mid-August. Males establish and aggressively defend territories with persistent song and display. A male occupying poor habitat may attract only one female, whereas males holding resource-rich territories can mate with several. Familiarity with a territory helps resident males locate dependable feeding and nesting places (Animal Diversity Web).