The Wren

 The Wren

The Wren is one of Ireland smallest birds and perhaps one of its best known.  It is linked to Christmas when in olden times young men would catch and kill a Wren then placing it on a stick they would cover themselves in straw and rags, their faces smeared with coal, and proceed around the countryside from house to house, shouting and demanding food, drink or money.  Sort of like trick or treat at Halloween. 


The Wren is a solitary bird outside the breeding season.  He spends his time foraging around low to the ground searching for insects and will protect his territory to the death if necessary.  The exception to this is in very cold winters when several Wrens will huddle together for warmth in dense Ivy or even in unused bird boxes.

In early spring the male partially builds several nests and invites his chosen female to inspect them.  She chooses her favourite and completes the construction.  The pair will have two broods over the season. It is at this time of year you are likely to hear the male singing, his song as sweet as any other birds.


When the young fledge they are usually looked after by the male.  They don't fly well and will spend much time hiding in the undergrowth but unlike other birds the male will guide the youngsters to one of the unused nests he started earlier and there they can spend the night in warmth and safety.

It has been said that when newly emerged from the nest the fledglings look like oversized furry bumblebees. By the time they are 3 weeks old the young birds will have left their birth territory to find their own hunting grounds.

Wrens undergo a moult in autumn and during this phase their ability to fly is effected.  In particular the female is almost flightless and must remain hidden in the undergrowth till the process is complete.  During winter males continue to hold a feeding territory unlike the female and juveniles.  


 

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