The winter wren could be called the “mouse wren” because this little bird is brown, secretive, and lives on or near the ground. It has a dark-brown back and wings and a buffy brown breast. Look for this bird in cool, forested mountains in the summer and in the lower areas of the Wenatchee watershed in the winter.

There are 59 species of wrens in the Western Hemisphere, but only the winter wren is found in Europe. Scientists believe that this species crossed the Bering Sea millions of years ago and made its way south. Today you can find it throughout Europe, Japan, Taiwan and in North Africa.

Male wrens are great nest builders, and the winter wren builds from 1 to 4 dummy nests. The female will choose which nest she prefers and help finish that one, lining it with hair from deer, and bird feathers. The baby wrens are born helpless and they must be fed. Although they leave the nest about 19 days after hatching, the babies are fed for up to 40 more days.

In the early spring you will first know a winter wren is nearby when you hear a magnificent song -- long, loud, rapid, bubbling, like a piccolo solo. Or perhaps if you are near a dense tangle of underbrush you will hear the sharp call notes. Sometimes you will see movement when the wren runs to hide in the brush. This bird is curious, even audacious. If you stand or sit quietly, or make a gentle “spish spish” sound, the wren may come out of the thicket and come as close to you as three or four feet. Notice the short tail held straight up or cocked over the brown back. On your walks along the forest trails and beside streams, listen and look for the energetic Winter Wren, the little brown forest bird that sings an extraordinary solo.