Wrens (Troglodytidae)

     A couple of weeks ago Joanne Noragon asked me if I would publish some pictures of wrens, and I am happy to oblige.

     I suspect that Joanne's interest is principally in wrens she may have seen in North America, so I am dealing only with those species. There are some species for which I do not have photographs (Sedge Wren, for example) so they are of necessity left out of this list.

     This coverage is limited to one image and brief accompanying notes, and the species are listed in current taxonomic sequence.

     If you have a burning desire for more pictures, Joanne, or greater detail, please let me know. 

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

Cactus Wren, Tucson, AZ

     The largest wren in North America, Cactus Wren is a characteristic and conspicuous part of the southwestern desert from southern Arizona, southern Nevada, southern New Mexico and Texas through Mexico from Baja California, eastwards to Tamaulipas and south to Sinaloa and the central Mexican plateau to Michoacán and Hildago.

     Over much of its range it is common or abundant.

     Typically builds a large, bulky nest, usually in cholla cacti. Three to five eggs usual, occasionally up to seven.

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)

Rock Wren, Tuzigoot National Monument, AZ

     A characteristic and cheerful feature of the fauna of arid or semi-arid areas of western North America, often inhabiting dry rocky areas where few other birds are found.

     Constructs nest in cavities or rock piles. Nests are made of grasses, straw or rootlets and lined with horsehair, feathers or sheep's wool.

     Usual clutch is five to six eggs, rarely four to eight.

Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus)

Canyon Wren, Montezuma Castle National Monument, AZ

     An unusual species confined to cliffs and canyons in semi-arid or desert country, from Canada to southern Mexico. The song, a beautiful series of clear descending whistles, is a characteristic sound of the south-west canyonlands. 

     Nests are built by both sexes, usually in crevices in rock faces or cliffs. Nest is an open cup of wool, hair and feathers, built on a base of coarse twigs.

     Usually six eggs, sometimes three to seven. Incubation by female alone.

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)

Marsh Wren, Victoria, BC

     An abundant and conspicuous resident of cattail and bulrush habitat throughout most of North America.

     Polygamous species, male builds as many as twenty domed nests in a season. Female inspects the nests, selects one and lines it with fine leaves, feathers and/or down from cattail heads.

     Typically four to six eggs laid, sometimes three to ten. Incubation by female alone.

Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

Bewick's Wren, Victoria, BC

     A widespread and well-liked species over much of the western parts of the United States and British Columbia, frequently found in close association with man.

     Often nests in woodpecker holes, various crannies, takes readily to nest boxes and has even been know to breed in abandoned automobiles.

     Nest made of twigs, grasses, rootlets, leaf skeletons etc., frequently lined with bits of snake skins. Eggs three to eight, average clutch size 5.6. Incubation by female only, fed on nest by male.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

Carolina Wren, Burlington, ON

     The only member of the genus Thryothorus to occur north of the Mexican border. Familiar and conspicuous over much of eastern North America. Has colonized and spread in southern Ontario in recent years.

     Year-round territories are maintained by a pair of birds. Nest is a substantial domed structure of dried vegetation, grass, strips of bark, horsehair, various debris such as string or wool, cast snake skins, lined with finer material. Clutch size usually three to six eggs depending on latitude.

Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis)

Winter Wren, St. Agatha, ON

     In North America found from Newfoundland, Maritimes and Maine, south in mountains to Georgia, westwards across Québec and Ontario to British Columbia and Alaska, Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, western United States to central California, Idaho and western Montana.

     Nest is a domed structure of grass, fine leaves, moss etc., lined with feathers and hair, with a side entrance, built primarily by the male with female completing interior. Eggs three to nine, usually five to eight.

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)

House Wren, Waterloo, ON

     The most widely distributed and recognizable wren in North America. Readily associates with man and accepts nesting boxes, even in densely populated suburban areas.

     Nests are always filled with a base of coarse twigs to within 2 - 3 centimetres from the top. The female finishes the stick platform and builds a cup lined with feathers, hair or wool. Eggs four to eight, rarely three to ten. Incubation by female only, fed by male.

Reference

Wrens, Dipper and Thrashers, David Brewer, illustrated by Barry Kent MacKay, Yale University Press (2001).

Visit to Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick - Part 7

20 May, 2022

Deep Cove - Southwest Head - Red Point Trail - Ferry to White Head Island - Ross Island - Migratory Bird Sanctuary

     There was quite a bit of activity going on outside as we crunched down on our raisin bran for breakfast. 

     An American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is no stranger to making sure it gets its fair share of sunflower seeds set out for the birds.

     Sometimes the best strategy is to climb right into the feeder.

     Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) would patiently wait for an opportunity to snatch a seed and fly off with it.

     Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) were more apt to garner seed from the ground.

     The closest we came to a hummingbird was the ornament on the window.

     Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus) gave us special pleasure since it is a species we seldom see at home.

     It is a very handsome bird.

     The first stop on our itinerary this morning was  Deep Cove/Southwest Head, and the two areas are contiguous, so I am not sure whether this coastline belongs to one or the other, or straddles the two.

     It was in any event quite beautiful with several small side trails. A rocky shore is always far more interesting to a naturalist than a sandy beach.

     This plant was exceptionally beautiful; I am not sure of its identity, however.

     We carefully scanned a pond at the end of one of the trails but could fine neither bird nor beast.

     In among the rocks we observed an American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) with what appeared to be a small lobster.

     Having battered the lobster until it was suitable to be swallowed, it turned its attention to a crab.

     A hard shell poses no obstacle to a determined gull in search of a meal.

     Once again our eyes were drawn to a flower that we were unable to identify.

     I suspect that there is someone out there with experience with coastal vegetation that will be able to help us with this. (27 June - As many have helpfully point out this plant is Skunk Currant (Ribes glandulosum).

     We frequently saw Common Loons (Gavia immer) around the coast, but usually beyond camera range. This individual was somewhat closer.

     We took a little time just to take in the beauty of the area and to contemplate the magic that is the interplay of sea and land.

     This Herring Gull seemed to have an embarrassment of riches and alternately turned its attention to one prey item or the other.

     A pair of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialis sialia) had obviously struck out from the mainland to raise a family on Grand Manan.

     I had not thought I would find bluebirds there, but it is further evidence that a crossing over open ocean is no deterrent to small songbirds.

     Miriam had done a great job finding trails with good birding potential for us to explore, the Red Point Trail being one of them. It was filled with warblers from end to end, but given the leaf out of the trees they could be frustratingly difficult to see, and even more difficult to photograph. American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) seemed at times as common as goldfinches on thistles, but we were unable to get a decent shot.

     We did a little better with Northern Parula (Setophaga americana).....

     .....and a singing male American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) was downright cooperative.

     I believe the following beautiful bloom is Hookspur Violet (Viola adunca).

     Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) was quite common, thought to have been originally introduced to this area by birds bearing seeds.

     Adjacent to the Red Point Trail was the Hudson Trail, and that called for exploration too.

     As is to be expected along a shoreline constantly buffeted by the forces of wind and wave, erosion was evident everywhere.

     Ferns (Polypodiopsida) are a taxon that gives me fits when I try to narrow a specimen down to the species level, so all I can say, I'm afraid, is that this was a striking example of a fern!

     Alders (genus Alnus) are instantly recognizable, but once again defining the species is not always easy. I need to invest in some fieldwork and study time on these very attractive trees.

     We returned "home" for lunch, after which we drove to Ross Island, where we found that it was only accessible at low tide with a high clearance vehicle. We were skunked on both counts so we drove to Ingall's Head to take the ferry over to White Head Island.

     We had decided earlier that we would embark as walk-on passengers and make the round trip, hoping for better photographic opportunities of Razorbills (Alca torda).

     It was a lovely day, and Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) lounged on the rocks.

     The sea was calm and the waves lapped gently against the shore.

    To be able to enjoy this environment was such a privilege and the harbour at Ingall's Head was postcard perfect.

     We did not have to wait long for the ferry to arrive and we walked aboard looking forward to our excursion on the water.

    Gulls have learned to identify fishing vessels and quickly gather around hoping for scraps and bycatch to be thrown overboard.

     A Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritus) is impressive in flight.

     Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) was sighted several times as we eased our way out of the harbour.

     We never ceased to be impressed by American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus).

     Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), the world's largest gull, was even more impressive.

     The journey over to White Head Island is a mere twenty-nine minutes and soon the island was off our bow.

     The maritime environment, so unfamiliar to visitors from central Canada, has a charm not to be denied.

     It is all very splendid.

     Gulls are found throughout the continent, often far from the ocean, but they always seem to me to be an iconic part of our coasts.

     On the return trip to Grand Manan Razorbills surfaced alongside the boat as they had done on our previous crossing, but they and the vessel quickly moved away from each other and our photographic opportunities were no better than they had been the first time around.

     That did not detract from the sheer elation at seeing them.

     Black Guillemot seemed to stay a little closer to the boat, often diving and coming up alongside again.

     As we neared Ingall's Head I was surprised to see American Wigeon (Mareca americana) in salt water. I don't think I have ever seen this before.

     A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) seemed equally at home in a briny environment.

     We were happy to have a Great Black-backed Gull to bid us farewell.

     A Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) was taking a brief rest before resuming its quest for insects.

     We decided to return to the bird sanctuary where we had discovered the Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) to see whether it was still present and to try for a better picture.

     Along the way several butterflies fluttered from perch to perch, providing great pleasure. It is an Azure of one kind or another, but this whole complex of Holarctic Azures (Genus Celastrina) has been subject to so much taxonomic revision in recent years, I am not confident enough to call it at the species level.

     We were fortunate that this individual spread its wings quite frequently. Often the only view you get is with wings closed.

     We drove in a little farther than we had done on our previous visit, and found a short trail that appeared to lead closer to the wetland where the egret had been hanging out.

     In no time at all we relocated the bird and were delighted to capture some better images, far from perfect mind you, but showing the diagnostic "yellow slippers" and dark bill.

     It doesn't take much to make a naturalist happy!

     A patch of Common Silverweed (Argentina anserina) will do it too.

     If there are Alkali Buttercups (Ranunculus cymbalaria) in the area that only adds to the pleasure of the moment.

     We spent some time watching Herring Gulls bathing in the freshwater pond.

     It is critical for a bird to keep its feathers clean, but one could not help but ponder, given the sheer exuberance of the gulls, whether a degree of enjoyment was not part of the ritual.

     When we arrived back at our B&B we were greeted by a male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), the only one we would see on the island.

     It was a fine end to the day.