Spot House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)

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Small and compact, with a flat head and fairly long, curved beak. Short-winged, often keeping its longish tail either cocked above the line of the body or slightly drooped. Subdued brown overall with darker barring on the wings and tail. The pale eyebrow that is characteristic of so many wren species is much fainter in House Wrens. Diet and behavioral habits: Occasionally seen over most of the 20th century, the species has become fairly common year-round. Bubbly and energetic, just like their songs, look for House Wrens hopping quickly through tangles and low branches and, in spring and summer, frequently pausing to deliver cheerful trilling songs, Feeds on a wide variety of insects, including beetles, true bugs, grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, moths, flies, spiders, plus some millipedes and snails. Nesting habits: Nest site is in any kind of cavity, including natural hollows in trees and stumps, old woodpecker holes, crevices in buildings, in nest boxes, or almost any kind of enclosed space (flowerpots, parked cars, shoes, drainpipes, etc.). Nest site is usually low, but may be high in trees. Male builds incomplete "dummy" nests in several cavities; female chooses one and finishes nest by adding lining. Nest has a foundation of twigs, topped with softer cup of plant fibers, grass, weeds, animal hair, and feathers.

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