Typical Wrens

The typical wrens are small, round birds known for their tails that stick up and their finely patterned brown feathers. Despite their small size, they have surprisingly strong voices and sing loud, complicated songs. They move in a distinctive way, similar to mice, through thick plants and often disappear into cracks and undergrowth. These wrens live in a variety of places across the Northern Hemisphere, including cold forests and rocky shores. Most of them prefer thick, low plants and are usually found close to the ground or in holes. They can be found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, with different species suited to different local environments. There are several closely related types of wrens in this group. Some of these were once thought to be just varieties of one widespread species, but later studies showed they are separate species.