Rock Wren

Rock Wren, adult; Anza-Borrego, CA; April

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A pale gray bird of rocky areas, the Rock Wren is found throughout arid western North America.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Pale gray back.
• Faintly striped throat.
• Long, barred tail.
• Long, thin bill.

• Size: 12-15 cm (5-6 in)
• Wingspan: 23 cm (9 in)
• Weight: 15-18 g (0.53-0.64 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Song a series of repeated buzzy or musical phrases. Call a loud, dry trill, or a clear "tick-ear."

Conservation Status

Declining throughout range.

Other Names

Troglodyte des rochers (French)
Chivirín saltarroca, Troglodita saltarroca, Saltapared roquero (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The male Rock Wren is a truly remarkable singer and can have a large song repertoire of 100 or more song types, many of which seem to be learned from neighbors.
• The Rock Wren usually builds a pavement or walkway of small, flat stones or pebbles that leads to the nest cavity. The nest is usually located in a rock crevice out of sight, but the pavement may give away the nest?s location. The function of this pavement is unknown.

• The Rock Wren is not known to drink water, but instead gets all it needs from its food. Even five birds kept in captivity did not drink water when it was available.

Sources used to construct this page:

Lowther, P. E., D. E. Kroodsma, and G. H. Farley. 2000. Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus). In The Birds of North America, No. 486 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.