Editing Wren

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Short description|Family of birds}}
{{About|the bird family|other uses|}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|name=Wren
|image=Cistothorus palustris Iona.jpg
|image_caption=[[Marsh wren]] (''Cistothorus palustris'') 
|image2=Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) (W1CDR0001461 BD5).ogg
|image2_caption=[[Eurasian wren]] recorded in Speyside, Scotland
|taxon=Troglodytidae
|authority=[[William Swainson|Swainson]], 1832
|subdivision_ranks=Genera and species
|subdivision=See text
|range_map=
|range_map_caption=
}}

'''Wrens''' are a [[family (biology)|family]], '''Troglodytidae''', of small brown [[passerine]] birds. The family includes 96 [[species]] and is divided into 19 [[genus|genera]]. All species are restricted to the [[New World]] except for the [[Eurasian wren]] that is widely distributed in the [[Old World]]. In [[Anglophone|Anglophone regions]], the Eurasian wren is commonly known simply as the "wren", as it is the originator of the name. The name ''wren'' has been applied to other, unrelated birds, particularly the New Zealand wrens ([[Acanthisittidae]]) and the Australian wrens ([[Maluridae]]).

Most wrens are visually inconspicuous though they have loud and often complex songs. Exceptions include the relatively large members of the genus ''[[Campylorhynchus]]'', which can be quite bold in their behaviour. Wrens have short wings that are barred in most species, and they often hold their tails upright. Wrens are primarily [[insectivorous]], eating insects, spiders and other small [[invertebrate]]s, but many species also eat vegetable matter and some eat small frogs and lizards.<ref name="HBW"/>

==Etymology and usage==
The English name "wren" derives from {{langx|enm|wrenne}} and {{langx|ang|wrænna}}, attested (as {{lang|ang|wernnaa}}) very early, in an eighth-century [[Gloss (annotation)|gloss]]. It is [[cognate]] to {{langx|goh|wrendo}}, {{lang|goh|wrendilo}}, and {{langx|is|rindill}} (the latter two including an additional diminutive ''-ilan'' suffix). The Icelandic name is attested in [[Old Icelandic]] ([[Edda]]ic) as {{lang|non|rindilþvari}}. This points to a [[Common Germanic]] name {{lang|gem|wrandjan-}}, but the further etymology of the name is unknown.<ref>Kluge-Lutz, ''English Etymology'' tentatively suggest association with Old High German ''(w)renno'' "stallion", but Suolahti (1909) rejects this as unlikely.</ref>

The wren was also known as the {{lang|goh|kuningilin}} ('kinglet') in [[Old High German]], a name associated with the [[fable]] of the election of the "king of birds". The bird that could fly to the highest altitude would be made king. The [[eagle]] outflew all other birds, but he was beaten by a small bird that had hidden in his plumage. This fable was already known to [[Aristotle]] (''[[Historia Animalium]]'' 9.11)<ref>"It goes by the nickname of 'old man' or 'king'; and the story goes that for this reason the eagle is at war with him." http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=AriHian.xml&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=9&division=div2</ref> and [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] ([[Natural History (Pliny)|''Natural History'']] 10.95),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.02.0137:book=10:chapter=95&highlight=wren|title=Pliny the Elder, the Natural History, BOOK X. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS., CHAP. 95. (74.)—ANTIPATHIES OF ANIMALS. PROOFS THAT THEY ARE SENSIBLE OF FRIENDSHIP AND OTHER AFFECTIONS}}</ref><ref>"The roiall Ægle hateth the Wren, and why? because (if we may beleeve it) he is named Regulus, [i. the petie-king.]" http://penelope.uchicago.edu/holland/pliny10.html</ref> and was taken up by [[medieval]] authors such as [[Johann Geiler von Kaisersberg]], but it most likely originally concerned [[kinglet]]s ({{Lang|la|Regulus}}, such as the [[goldcrest]]) and was apparently motivated by the yellow "crown" sported by these birds (a point noted already by [[Ludwig Uhland]]).<ref name=Suolahti>{{cite book|last=Suolahti|first=Viktor Hugo|title=Die deutschen Vogelnamen: eine wortgeschichtliche Untersuchung|year=1909|publisher=Karl J Trbner|language=de|location=Strassbourg|url=https://archive.org/stream/diedeutschenvoge00suol#page/80/mode/2up|pages=80–85}}</ref> The confusion stemmed in part from the similarity and consequent interchangeability of the [[Ancient Greek]] words for the wren ({{lang|grc|βασιλεύς}} {{lang|grc-Latn|basileus}}, 'king')<ref>{{LSJ|basileu/s|βασιλεύς|ref}}.</ref> and the crest ({{lang|grc|βασιλίσκος}} {{lang|grc-Latn|basiliskos}}, 'kinglet'),<ref>{{LSJ|basili/skos|βασιλίσκος|shortref}}.</ref><ref name=arnott>{{cite book|last=Arnott|first=William Geoffrey|title=Birds in the ancient world from A to Z|year=2007|location=Abingdon|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-23851-9|page=35}}</ref> and the legend's reference to the "smallest of birds" becoming king likely led the title to be transferred to the equally tiny wren.<ref name=Suolahti /><ref name=Cocker>{{cite book|last=Cocker|first=Mark|author2=Mabey, Richard|title=Birds Britannica|year=2005|location=London|page=232|publisher=Chatto & Windus|isbn=978-0-7011-6907-7}}</ref> In modern [[German language|German]], the name of the bird is {{lang|de|Zaunkönig}} ('king of the fence (or hedge)') and in [[Dutch language|Dutch]], the name is {{lang|nl|winterkoning}} ('king of winter').{{citation needed|date = July 2022}}

The family name Troglodytidae is derived from troglodyte, which means 'cave-dweller'.<ref>{{OEtymD|troglodyte}}</ref> Wrens get their scientific name from the tendency of some species to forage in dark crevices.<ref>{{ cite book | last=Vieillot | first=Louis Pierre | author-link=Louis Pierre Vieillot | year=1809 | title=Histoire naturelle des oiseaux de l'Amérique Septentrionale : contenant un grand nombre d'espèces décrites ou figurées pour la première fois | volume=2 | language=fr | location=Paris | publisher=Desray | page=52 | url=https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/47004903 }} Dated 1807 on title page but not published until 1809.</ref>

The name "wren" is also ascribed to [[Wren (disambiguation)|other families]] of passerine birds throughout the world. In Europe, kinglets are occasionally known as "wrens", with the [[common firecrest]] and [[goldcrest]] known as  the "fire-crested wren" and "golden-crested wren", respectively.<ref>{{cite book |last=Doubleday |first=Henry |author-link=Henry Doubleday (entomologist) |year=1845 |title=A nomenclature of British birds |page=10 |url=https://archive.org/details/anomenclaturebr00doubgoog/page/n16/mode/1up |access-date=13 August 2024 |quote=Fire-Crested Wren Regulus Ignicapillus Cuv. and Golden-Crested Wren Regulus Cristatus Ray.}}</ref>

The 27 [[Australasia]]n "wren" species in the family [[Maluridae]] are unrelated, as are the [[New Zealand wren]]s in the family Acanthisittidae, the [[antbird]]s in the family Thamnophilidae, and the [[Old World babbler]]s of the family Timaliidae.{{citation needed|date = July 2022}}

==Description==
Wrens are medium-small to very small birds. The Eurasian wren is among the smallest birds in its range, while the smaller species from the [[Americas]] are among the smallest [[passerines]] in that part of the world. They range in size from the [[white-bellied wren]], which averages under {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|9|g|oz|abbr=on}}, to the [[giant wren]], which averages about {{convert|22|cm|in|abbr=on}} and weighs almost {{convert|50|g|oz|abbr=on}}. The dominating colors of their [[plumage]] are generally drab, composed of gray, brown, black, and white, and most species show some barring, especially on the tail or wings. No [[sexual dimorphism]] is seen in the plumage of wrens, and little difference exists between young birds and adults.<ref name="HBW">{{Citation|first1=Donald|last1=Kroodsma|first2=David|last2=Brewer|editor-first=Josep|editor-last=del Hoyo|editor2-first=Andrew|editor2-last=Elliott|editor3-first=David|editor3-last=Christie|contribution=Family Troglodytidae (Wrens)|title=Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 10, Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes|year=2005|pages=[https://archive.org/details/handbookofbirdso0001unse/page/356 356–447]|place=Barcelona|publisher=Lynx Edicions|isbn=84-87334-72-5|url=https://archive.org/details/handbookofbirdso0001unse/page/356}}</ref> All have fairly long, straight to marginally decurved (downward-curving) bills.<ref name="HBW"/>

Wrens have loud and often complex songs, sometimes given in [[Duetting|duet]] by a pair. The songs of members of the genera ''[[Cyphorhinus]]'' and ''[[Microcerculus]]'' have been considered especially pleasant to the human ear, leading to common names such as [[song wren]], [[musician wren]], [[flutist wren]], and [[southern nightingale-wren]].<ref name="HBW"/>

==Distribution and habitat==
[[File:Cobb's Wren.png|thumb|[[Cobb's wren]] is an insular [[endemism|endemic]], restricted to the [[Falkland Islands]]]] 
Wrens are principally a New World family, distributed from [[Alaska]] and [[Canada]] to southern [[Argentina]], with the greatest [[species richness]] in the [[Neotropics]]. As suggested by its name, the [[Eurasian wren]] is the only species of wren found outside the Americas, as restricted to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa (it was formerly considered [[conspecific]] with the [[winter wren]] and [[Pacific wren]] of North America). The insular species include the [[Clarión wren]] and [[Socorro wren]] from the [[Revillagigedo Islands]] in the Pacific Ocean, and [[Cobb's wren]] in the [[Falkland Islands]], but few [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] islands have a species of wren, with only the [[southern house wren]] in the [[Lesser Antilles]], the [[Cozumel wren]] of [[Cozumel Island]], and the highly restricted [[Zapata wren]] in a single swamp in [[Cuba]].{{citation needed|date = July 2022}}

The various species occur in a wide range of habitats, ranging from dry, sparsely wooded country to rainforests. Most species are mainly found at low levels, but members of the genus ''[[Campylorhynchus]]'' are frequently found higher, and the two members of ''[[Odontorchilus]]'' are restricted to the [[forest canopy]].<ref name="HBW"/> A few species, notably the Eurasian wren and the house wren, are often associated with humans. Most species are resident, remaining in Central and South America all year round, but the few species found in temperate regions of the [[Northern Hemisphere]] are partially migratory, spending the winter further south.{{citation needed|date = July 2022}}

==Behavior and ecology==
[[File:Carolina Wren.ogg|right|thumb|Song of the [[Carolina wren]]]]
Wrens vary from highly secretive species such as those found in the genus ''[[Microcerculus]]'' to the highly conspicuous genus ''[[Campylorhynchus]]'', the members of which frequently sing from exposed perches. The family as a whole exhibits a great deal of variation in their behavior. Temperate species generally occur in pairs, but some tropical species may occur in parties of up to 20 birds.<ref name="HBW"/>

Wrens build dome-shaped nests, and may be either [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]] or [[Animal sexual behaviour#Polygamy|polygamous]], depending on species.<ref name=EoB>{{cite book|editor=Forshaw, Joseph|author=Perrins, C.|year=1991|title=Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds|publisher=Merehurst Press|location=London|pages=190|isbn=1-85391-186-0}}</ref>

Though little is known about the feeding habits of many of the Neotropical species, wrens are considered primarily [[insectivorous]], eating insects, spiders, and other small [[arthropod]]s.<ref name="HBW"/> Many species also take vegetable matter such as seeds and berries, and some (primarily the larger species) take small frogs and lizards. The Eurasian wren has been recorded wading into shallow water to catch small fish and tadpoles; [[Sumichrast's wren]] and the [[Zapata wren]] take snails; and the [[giant wren]] and [[marsh wren]] have been recorded attacking and eating bird eggs (in the latter species, even eggs of conspecifics).<ref name="HBW"/> A local [[Spanish language|Spanish]] name for the giant wren and [[bicolored wren]] is {{lang|es|chupahuevo}} ('egg-sucker'), but whether the latter actually eats eggs is unclear.<ref name="HBW"/> The [[plain wren]] and [[northern house wren]] sometimes destroy bird eggs, and the [[rufous-and-white wren]] has been recorded killing nestlings, but this is apparently to eliminate potential food competitors rather than to feed on the eggs or nestlings.<ref name="HBW"/> Several species of Neotropical wrens sometimes participate in [[mixed-species flock]]s or [[Ant-follower|follow army ants]], and the Eurasian wren may follow [[European badger|badgers]] to catch prey items disturbed by them.<ref name="HBW"/>

==Taxonomy and systematics==
{{Phylogeny/Certhioidea}}
Revised following Martínez Gómez et al. (2005) and Mann et al. (2006), the taxonomy of some groups is highly complex, and future species-level splits are likely. Additionally, undescribed [[taxa]] are known to exist. The [[black-capped donacobius]] is an enigmatic species traditionally placed with the wrens more for lack of a more apparent alternative than as a result of thorough study. It was recently determined to be most likely closer to certain [[warbler]]s, possibly the newly established [[Megaluridae]], and might constitute a [[monotypic]] family.<ref name="Alström">{{cite journal|author1=Alström, Per|author2=Ericson, Per G. P.|author3=Olsson, Urban|author4=Sundberg, Per|year=2006|title=Phylogeny and classification of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=38|issue=2|pages=381–97|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2005.05.015|pmid=16054402}}</ref>

The genus level [[cladogram]] of the Troglodytidae shown below is based on a [[molecular phylogenetic]] study by Tyler Imfeld and collaborators that was published in 2024.<ref name=imfeld>{{Cite journal | last1=Imfeld | first1=T.S. | last2=Barker | first2=F.K. | last3=Vázquez-Miranda | first3=H. | last4=Chaves | first4=J.A. | last5=Escalante | first5=P. | last6=Spellman | first6=G.M. | last7=Klicka | first7=J. | date=2024 | title=Diversification and dispersal in the Americas revealed by new phylogenies of the wrens and allies (Passeriformes: Certhioidea) | journal=Ornithology | volume=141 | issue=2 | pages=ukae007 | doi=10.1093/ornithology/ukae007}}</ref> The number of species in each genus is based on the list maintained by [[Frank Gill (ornithologist)|Frank Gill]], [[Pamela C. Rasmussen]] and David Donsker on behalf of the [[International Ornithological Committee]] (IOC).<ref name=ioc/>

{{Clade | style=font-size:90%;line-height:90%
|label1='''Troglodytidae'''
|1={{clade
   |1={{clade
      |1=''[[Salpinctes]]'' – rock wren
      |2={{clade
         |1=''[[Microcerculus]]'' – 4 species
         |2={{clade
            |1=''[[Catherpes]]'' – canyon wren
            |2=''[[Hylorchilus]]'' – 2 species
            }}
         }}
      }}
   |2={{clade
      |1={{clade
         |1={{clade
            |1=''[[Campylorhynchus]]'' – 15 species
            |2={{clade
               |1=''[[Thryothorus]]'' – Carolina wren
               |2=''[[Thryomanes]]'' – Bewick's wren
               }}
            }}
         |2={{clade
            |1={{clade
               |1=''[[Troglodytes (bird)|Troglodytes]]'' (''Nannus'') – ''troglodytes'', ''pacificus'', ''palustris''
               |2=''[[Cistothorus]]'' – 5 species
               }}
            |2={{clade
               |1=''[[Ferminia]]'' – Zapata wren
               |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Thryorchilus]]'' – timberline wren
                  |2=''[[Troglodytes (bird)|Troglodytes]]'' – 18 - 3 = 15 species
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         }}
      |2={{clade
         |1=''[[Odontorchilus]]'' – 2 species
         |2={{clade
            |1=''[[Uropsila]]'' – white-bellied wren
            |2={{clade
               |1=''[[Pheugopedius]]'' – 13 species
               |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Cinnycerthia]]'' – 4 species
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Cantorchilus]]'' – 12 species
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Henicorhina]]'' – 5 species
                        |2={{clade
                           |1=''[[Cyphorhinus]]'' – 4 species
                           |2=''[[Thryophilus]]'' – 5 species
                           }}
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         }}
      }}
   }}
}}


'''Family Troglodytidae'''
[[File:Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus 20061226.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Cactus wren]] (''Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus'')|alt=]]
*'''Genus ''[[Campylorhynchus]]'''''
** [[White-headed wren]] (''Campylorhynchus albobrunneus'')
** [[Band-backed wren]] (''Campylorhynchus zonatus'')
** [[Grey-barred wren]] (''Campylorhynchus megalopterus'')
** [[Stripe-backed wren]] (''Campylorhynchus nuchalis'')
** [[Fasciated wren]] (''Campylorhynchus fasciatus'')
** [[Giant wren]] (''Campylorhynchus chiapensis'')
** [[Bicolored wren]] (''Campylorhynchus griseus'')
** [[Veracruz wren]] (''Campylorhynchus rufinucha'')
** [[Russet-naped wren]] (''Campylorhynchus humilis'')
** [[Rufous-backed wren]] (''Campylorhynchus capistratus'')
** [[Spotted wren]] (''Campylorhynchus gularis'')
** [[Yucatan wren]] (''Campylorhynchus yucatanicus'')
** [[Boucard's wren]] (''Campylorhynchus jocosus'')
** [[Cactus wren]] (''Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus'')
** [[Thrush-like wren]] (''Campylorhynchus turdinus'')
 [[File:Odontorchilus branickii.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Grey-mantled wren]] (''Odontorchilus branickii'')]]
*'''Genus ''[[Odontorchilus]]'''''
** [[Grey-mantled wren]] (''Odontorchilus branickii'')
** [[Tooth-billed wren]] (''Odontorchilus cinereus'')
[[File:RockWren-1JAN2018.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Rock wren]] (''Salpinctes obsoletus'')]]
*'''Genus ''[[Salpinctes]]'''''
** [[Rock wren]] (''Salpinctes obsoletus'')
[[File:Canyon Wren.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Canyon wren]] (''Catherpes mexicanus'')]] 
*'''Genus ''[[Catherpes]]'''''
** [[Canyon wren]] (''Catherpes mexicanus'')
*'''Genus ''[[Hylorchilus]]'''''
** [[Sumichrast's wren]] (''Hylorchilus sumichrasti'')
** [[Nava's wren]] (''Hylorchilus navai'')
*'''Genus ''[[Cinnycerthia]]'''''
** [[Rufous wren]] (''Cinnycerthia unirufa'')
** [[Sepia-brown wren]] (''Cinnycerthia olivascens'')
** [[Peruvian wren]] (''Cinnycerthia peruana'')
** [[Fulvous wren]] (''Cinnycerthia fulva'')
*'''Genus ''[[Cistothorus]]'''''
** [[Sedge wren]] (''Cistothorus stellaris'')
** [[Mérida wren]] or paramo wren (''Cistothorus meridae'')
** [[Apolinar's wren]] (''Cistothorus apolinari'')
** [[Grass wren]] (''Cistothorus platensis'')
** [[Marsh wren]] (''Cistothorus palustris'')
[[File:Thryomanes bewickii 14431.JPG|thumb|right|200px|[[Bewick's wren]] (''Thryomanes bewickii'')]]
*'''Genus ''[[Thryomanes]]'''''
** [[Bewick's wren]] (''Thryomanes bewickii'')
*'''Genus ''[[Ferminia]]'''''
** [[Zapata wren]] (''Ferminia cerverai'')
[[File:Pheugopedius atrogularis 1902.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Black-throated wren]] (''Pheugopedius atrogularis'')]]
[[File:Happy Wren - Oaxaca - Mexico S4E8421 (16982140919).jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Happy wren]] (''Pheugopedius felix'')]]
*'''Genus ''[[Pheugopedius]]''''' (formerly included in ''Thryothorus'')<!-- Condor109:686 -->
** [[Black-throated wren]] (''Pheugopedius atrogularis'')
** [[Sooty-headed wren]] (''Pheugopedius spadix'')
** [[Black-bellied wren]] (''Pheugopedius fasciatoventris'')
** [[Plain-tailed wren]] (''Pheugopedius euophrys'')
** [[Grey-browed wren]] (''Pheugopedius schulenbergi'')
** [[Inca wren]] (''Pheugopedius eisenmanni'')
** [[Moustached wren]] (''Pheugopedius genibarbis'')
** [[Whiskered wren]] (''Pheugopedius mystacalis'')
** [[Coraya wren]] (''Pheugopedius coraya'')
** [[Happy wren]] (''Pheugopedius felix'')
** [[Spot-breasted wren]] (''Pheugopedius maculipectus'')
** [[Rufous-breasted wren]] (''Pheugopedius rutilus'')
** [[Speckle-breasted wren]] (''Pheugopedius sclateri'')
*'''Genus ''[[Thryophilus]]''''' (formerly included in ''Thryothorus'')<!-- Condor109:686 -->
** [[Banded wren]] (''Thryophilus pleurostictus'')
** [[Rufous-and-white wren]] (''Thryophilus rufalbus'')
**[[Antioquia wren]] (''Thryophilus sernai'')
** [[Niceforo's wren]] (''Thryophilus nicefori'')
** [[Sinaloa wren]] (''Thryophilus sinaloa'')
[[File:Bay Wren.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Bay wren]] (''Cantorchilus nigricapillus'')]]
[[File:Cantorchilus longirostris -Registro, Sao Paulo, Brazil-8.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Long-billed wren]] (''Cantorchilus longirostris'')]]
*'''Genus ''[[Cantorchilus]]''''' (formerly included in ''Thryothorus'')<!-- Condor109:686 -->
** [[Cabanis's wren]] (''Cantorchilus modestus'')
** [[Canebrake wren]] (''Cantorchilus zeledoni'')
** [[Isthmian wren]] (''Cantorchilus elutus'')
** [[Buff-breasted wren]] (''Cantorchilus leucotis'') (probably not [[monophyletic]])
** [[Superciliated wren]] (''Cantorchilus superciliaris'')
** [[Fawn-breasted wren]] (''Cantorchilus guarayanus'')
** [[Long-billed wren]] (''Cantorchilus longirostris'')
** [[Grey wren]] (''Cantorchilus griseus'')
** [[Riverside wren]] (''Cantorchilus semibadius'')
** [[Bay wren]] (''Cantorchilus nigricapillus'')
**[[Stripe-breasted wren]] (''Cantorchilus thoracicus'')
** [[Stripe-throated wren]] (''Cantorchilus leucopogon'')
*'''Genus ''[[Thryothorus]]'''''
**[[Carolina wren]] (''Thryothorus ludovicianus'')
*** [[White-browed wren]] (''Thryothorus (ludovicianus) albinucha'')
[[File:Troglodytes musculus Registro.jpg|thumb|right|200px| [[Southern house wren]] (''Troglodytes aedon musculus'')]]
[[File:Eurasian Wren Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary East Sikkim India 26.03.2016.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Eurasian wren]] (''Troglodytes troglodytes'')]] 
*'''Genus ''[[Troglodytes (bird)|Troglodytes]]''''' (10–15 species, depending on [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomy]]; includes species sometimes considered to be in the genus ''Nannus'', which may be distinct)<ref name = "Albrect"/>
**[[Eurasian wren]] (''Troglodytes troglodytes'')
** [[Winter wren]] (''Troglodytes hiemalis'')
** [[Pacific wren]] (''Troglodytes pacificus'')
** [[Clarión wren]] (''Troglodytes tanneri'')
**[[Northern house wren|House wren]] (''Troglodytes aedon'')
** [[Cobb's wren]] (''Troglodytes cobbi'')
** [[Socorro wren]] (''Troglodytes sissonii'')
** [[Rufous-browed wren]] (''Troglodytes rufociliatus'')
** [[Ochraceous wren]] (''Troglodytes ochraceus'')
** [[Mountain wren]] (''Troglodytes solstitialis'')
** [[Santa Marta wren]] (''Troglodytes monticola'')
** [[Tepui wren]] (''Troglodytes rufulus'')
*'''Genus ''[[Thryorchilus]]'''''
** [[Timberline wren]] (''Thryorchilus browni'')
*'''Genus ''[[Uropsila]]'''''
** [[White-bellied wren]] (''Uropsila leucogastra'')
*'''Genus ''[[Henicorhina]]''''' (wood wrens)
** [[White-breasted wood wren]] (''Henicorhina leucosticta'')
** [[Grey-breasted wood wren]] (''Henicorhina leucophrys'')
** [[Hermit wood wren]] (''Henicorhina anachoreta'') – split from ''H. leucophrys''
**[[Bar-winged wood wren]] (''Henicorhina leucoptera'')
** [[Munchique wood wren]] (''Henicorhina negreti'')
*'''Genus ''[[Microcerculus]]'''''
** [[Northern nightingale-wren]] (''Microcerculus philomela'')
** [[Southern nightingale-wren]] (''Microcerculus marginatus'')
** [[Flutist wren]] (''Microcerculus ustulatus'')
** [[Wing-banded wren]] (''Microcerculus bambla'')
*'''Genus ''[[Cyphorhinus]]'''''
** [[Chestnut-breasted wren]] (''Cyphorhinus thoracicus'')
** [[Musician wren]] (''Cyphorhinus arada'')
** [[Song wren]] (''Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus'')

==Relationship with humans==
The wren features prominently in culture. The Eurasian wren has been long considered "the king of birds" in Europe.<ref name="Frazer">{{cite book|last=Frazer|first=James George|author-link=James George Frazer|year=1922|title=The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion|chapter=Chapter 54. Types of Animal Sacrament|location=New York|publisher=Macmillan|title-link=The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion}}</ref> Killing one or harassing its nest is associated with bad luck, such as broken bones, lightning strikes on homes, or injury to cattle. [[Wren Day]], celebrated in parts of Ireland on [[Saint Stephen's Day]] (26 December), features a fake wren being paraded around town on a decorative pole; up to the 20th century, real birds were hunted for this purpose.<ref name="Lawrence">{{cite book|title=Hunting the Wren: Transformation of Bird to Symbol: a Study in Human-animal Relationships|last=Lawrence|first=Elizabeth Atwood|year=1997|publisher=University of Tennessee Press|place=Knoxville|isbn=9780870499609}}</ref> A possible origin for the tradition is revenge for the betrayal of [[Saint Stephen]] by a noisy wren when he was trying to hide from enemies in a bush.<ref name="Smithsonian">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-irish-used-to-celebrate-the-day-after-christmas-by-killing-wrens-172713515/ |title=The Irish Used to Celebrate The Day After Christmas by Killing Wrens |magazine=Smithsonian Magazine |last=Eveleth |first=Rose |author-link=Rose Eveleth |date=26 December 2012 |access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref>

The [[Carolina wren]] (''Thryothorus ludovicianus'') has been the state bird of [[South Carolina]] since 1948, and features on the back of its [[50 State Quarters|state quarter]].<ref name="SCStateBird">{{cite web|title=South Carolina State Bird – Thryrothorus ludovicianus|url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/birds/sc_carolina_wren.htm|publisher=NetState|access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="SCStateQuarter">{{cite web|title=The Official South Carolina State Quarter|url=http://www.theus50.com/southcarolina/quarter.php|publisher=TheUS50|access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> The British [[Farthing (British coin)|farthing]] featured a wren on the reverse side from 1937 until its demonetisation in 1960. The [[Cactus wren]] (''Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus'') was designated the state bird of [[Arizona]] in 1931.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 September 2017|title=Arizona State Bird – Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus couesi|url=https://www.netstate.com/states/symb/birds/az_coues_cactus_wren.htm|access-date=10 July 2020|publisher=NetState}}</ref>

The [[Women's Royal Naval Service]] (WRNS) were nicknamed Wrens based on the acronym WRNS. After the Women's Royal Navy Service was integrated into the Royal Navy in 1993, the title of Wren was dropped from official usage, however unofficially female sailors are still referred to as Wrens. 

<gallery class="center" widths="200px" heights="200px" caption="The South Carolina state quarter ''(left)'' and British farthing ''(right)'' both feature wrens">
File:2000 SC Proof.png|alt=South Carolina state quarter
File:British farthing 1951 reverse.png|alt=British farthing
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist | refs = 
<ref name = "Albrect">{{cite journal | title = Phylogeny of the Eurasian Wren ''Nannus troglodytes'' (Aves: Passeriformes: Troglodytidae) reveals deep and complex diversification patterns of Ibero-Maghrebian and Cyrenaican populations | first1 = Frederik | last1 = Albrecht | first2 = Jens | last2 = Hering | first3 = Elmar | last3 = Fuchs | first4= Juan Carlos | last4 = Illera | first5 = Flora | last5 = Ihlow | first6 = Thomas J. | last6 = Shannon | first7 = J. Martin | last7 = Collinson | first8 = Michael | last8 = Wink | first9 = Jochen | last9 = Martens | first10 = Martin | last10 = Päckert | journal = PLOS ONE |year = 2020| volume = 15 | issue = 3 | page =  e023015 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0230151|pmid = 32191719| pmc = 7082076 |bibcode = 2020PLoSO..1530151A| doi-access = free }}</ref>
}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Mann|first1=Nigel I.|last2=Barker|first2=F. Keith|last3=Graves|first3=Jeff A.|last4=Dingess-Mann|first4=Kimberly A.|last5=Slater|first5=Peter J. B.|year=2006|title=Molecular data delineate four genera of "Thryothorus" wrens|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=40|issue=3|pages=750–759|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2006.04.014|pmid=16750640}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Martínez Gómez|first1=Juan E.|last2=Barber|first2=Bruian R.|last3=Peterson|first3=A. Townsend|year=2005|title=Phylogenetic position and generic placement of the Socorro Wren (''Thryomanes sissonii'')|url=http://www.specifysoftware.org/Informatics/bios/biostownpeterson/MBP_A_2005.pdf|journal=[[Auk (journal)|Auk]]|volume=122|issue=1|pages=50–56|doi=10.1642/0004-8038(2005)122[0050:PPAGPO]2.0.CO;2|hdl=1808/16612|s2cid=20879561 |access-date=22 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217114932/http://www.specifysoftware.org/Informatics/bios/biostownpeterson/MBP_A_2005.pdf|archive-date=17 December 2008|url-status=dead|hdl-access=free}} [English with Spanish abstract]

==External links==
{{Commons category|Troglodytidae}}
{{Wikispecies|Troglodytidae}}
{{Wiktionary|wren}}
* [http://ibc.lynxeds.com/family/wrens-troglodytidae Videos, photos and sounds]—Internet Bird Collection

{{Taxonbar|from=Q208304}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Wrens| ]]
[[Category:Troglodytidae|*]]