While the canyon wren does have richly colored plumage, it is often camouflaged in its rocky habitat and birders who are skilled at birding by ear will have a better chance of finding this bird by listening for its beautiful song.

Common Name: Canyon Wren

Scientific Name: Catherpes mexicanus

Scientific Family: Troglodytidae

Appearance:

• Bill: Very long and thin, gently decurved, black with a yellow gape and yellow base to the lower mandible

• Size: 5.75-6 inches long with 7.5-inch wingspan, flattish head, deep chest, large feet
• Colors: White, brown, black, rufous, buff, gray
• Markings: Genders are similar with red-brown upperparts that show fine black and white or buff flecks. The head has a gray wash and more prominent speckling. The chin, throat and upper breast are plain white, and the abdomen is rufous-brown and may show a faint suggestion of darker barring. The tail is brighter rufous and has thin black horizontal bars, and the rufous wings also show black barring. The overall richness of the coloration can vary significantly between subspecies, with some canyon wrens appearing much paler overall. For all subspecies, the eyes, legs and feet are black.
  
  Juveniles are similar to adults but are often paler and with less refinement in their overall markings.

Foods: Insects, spiders (See: Insectivorous)

Habitat and Migration:

These wrens prefer arid or semi-arid rocky habitats such as canyons, boulder-strewn slopes, rocky hillsides and ridges, cliffs and similar areas, including man-made stone structures such as fences, buildings or chimneys.

They are found year-round throughout the Rocky Mountain region of western North America stretching as far south as central and western Mexico including the Baja peninsula, and reaching east as far as Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and western and central Texas.

Vagrant sightings are rare but are occasionally reported further east than expected, though these birds do not regularly migrate.

Vocalizations:

Canyon wrens have a very musical, melodious song that is a loud series of liquid warbling notes with gradually descending tones, and a complete song may last 2-3 seconds. A raspy buzz is a typical call, and single call notes may be repeated in a brief series by alarmed birds.

Behavior:

These are relatively solitary wrens but they are also found in pairs, and in popular camping or hiking areas where humans are regular visitors, canyon wrens can become quite tame. While foraging, their large, strong feet are adept at clinging to and climbing nearly vertical rock surfaces, and their flat heads and long bills allow these birds to prove deeply into crevices or under rocks as they seek out insects. Canyon wrens regular bob their bodies or cock their tails, and those actions can become more frantic if the birds feel agitated.

Reproduction:

These are monogamous birds that may remain together as a pair for several breeding seasons. The male attracts the female's attention with his song, and the pair will work together to build a cup-shaped nest tucked into a hollow stump, rock crevice or hole or crack in a cliff. The nest is constructed of twigs, leaves and moss and is usually lined with finer materials such as plant down, feathers or fur.

The oval-shaped eggs are white with faint brown or red-brown speckling, and there are 4-7 eggs in a typical brood. The female incubates the eggs for 12-18 days, and after the altricial chicks hatch, they remain in the nest for an additional 14-16 days as both parents bring food to them. After leaving the nest, juvenile canyon wrens may remain under their parents' guidance for several more weeks.

A mated pair of canyon wrens may raise 1-3 broods each year, with multiple broods more common in the southern part of this bird's range.

Attracting Canyon Wrens:

These are not typical backyard birds, but in the appropriate range and habitat, a canyon wren might visit a yard that features good rock features such as rock walls, accent boulders and a rock pile. Minimizing insecticide use can ensure a good food source for visiting wrens, though they do not often visit either feeders or bird baths, since they do not eat foods typically offered at feeders and they derive all the liquid their diet requires from the insects they eat.

Conservation:

The canyon wren is not considered threatened or endangered, though some minor population declines have been noted. More study is needed to determine the extent of the population changes. Taking steps to discourage house sparrows can minimize the competition canyon wrens face for suitable nesting sites.

Similar Birds:

• Buff-Breasted Wren (Thryothorus leucotis)
• Slender-Billed Wren (Catherpes sumichrasti)
• Plain Wren (Thryothorus modestus)
• Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)
• Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)
• Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)

Photo – Canyon Wren © Michael Woodruff