This small, rich-brown wren is only slightly larger than a quarter, and has a tail quite short for a wren. A quiet observer in the forest will see these birds hop in and out and all over logs, snags, shrubs, twigs, and limbs on the forest floor. It has been said that the song of this bird is larger than the bird itself.

The Winter wren breed from Coos County southward and in eastern Oregon in the Blue and Steens mountains. It retreats from high altitudes in winter where snow pack is heavy. Migration probably occurs throughout the state, but movements are most noticeable in spring and fall at locations such as Malheur National Wildlife Reserve where the species does not breed or winter.

During all seasons, Winter Wrens are closely associated with moist coniferous forests, but can also be found in older red alder forests, and in Oregon white oak woodlands.

Hear the song of the Winter wren

Photo by Fyn Kynd, Flickr