Wren - Behaviour and Ecology

Behaviour and Ecology

Wrens vary from highly secretive species such as those found in the genus Microcerculus to the highly conspicuous genus Campylorhynchus, the members of which will frequently sing from exposed perches. The family as a whole exhibits a great deal of variation in their behaviour. Temperate species generally occur in pairs, but some tropical species may occur in parties of up to twenty birds.

Wrens build dome-shaped nests, and may be either monogamous or polygamous, depending on species.

Though little is known about the feeding habits of many of the Neotropical species, wrens are considered primarily insectivorous, eating insects, spiders and other small arthropods. Many species also take vegetable matter such as seeds and berries, some (primarily the larger species) will take small frogs/lizards, the Eurasian Wren has been recorded wading into shallow water to catch small fish and tadpoles, the Sumichrast's Wren and Zapata Wren will take snails, and the Giant Wren and Marsh Wren have been recorded attacking and eating bird eggs (in the latter species, even eggs of conspecifics). A local Spanish name for the Giant Wren and Bicolored Wren is chupahuevo ("egg-sucker"), but whether the latter actually eats eggs is unclear. The Plain Wren and Northern House Wren sometimes destroy bird eggs, and the Rufous-and-white Wren has been recorded killing nestlings, but this is apparently to eliminate potential food competitors rather than feed on the eggs/nestlings. Several species of Neotropical wrens sometimes participate in mixed-species flocks or follow army ants, and the Eurasian Wren may follow Badgers to catch prey items disturbed by them.