Bird Spotlight: Canyon Wren

by Stephen Myers, Ornithologist

Press play to listen to the canyon wren’s song, recorded at Whitewater Preserve.

It’s spring, the birds are singing, and one of the most distinctive and beautiful songs at the Preserve is that of the Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus). This song, made up of decelerating, descending liquid notes, can be heard throughout much of the western U.S., south into Mexico. It occurs as far north as British Columbia, and almost entirely west of the Rocky Mountains. It is the most colorful of North America’s wrens, with rich rufous upperparts and a deep chestnut belly and striking white throat. 

The most likely habitat in the Preserve in which to observe Canyon Wrens is the steep canyon walls on the east side of the canyon, including directly above the ranger station. Occasionally, they even roam the parking lot in search of insects among parked vehicles. Their diet is almost exclusively insects and spiders, which they obtain by probing their very long, slender bill into rock crevices.

The wrens’ nests are within crevices or holes in their rocky cliff habitats, and they can sometimes be found nesting in abandoned buildings or sheds. The nest is made from twigs, grass, and other coarse materials, lined with softer materials such as moss, leaves, spider webs, animal hair, and plant down. Five, but sometimes as few as 3 or as many as 7 eggs are laid. The eggs are white with light reddish brown dots, and are incubated for 12 to 18 days. Both parents attend the nestlings, which fledge about 15 days after hatching. Fledglings remain with the parents for several weeks before dispersing.

Canyon Wrens are nonmigratory, and thus are permanent residents at the Preserve. They are most vocal during spring but can occasionally be heard singing at other times of the year. They also frequently give a call, rendered as “jeet” or “jiink”  by standard field guides. 

The next time you hear their beautiful song from the cliff faces above the Preserve, spend some time scanning the steep slopes – you may be lucky enough to sight this fascinating bird!