House Wren, Troglodytes aedon

House WrenSomehow it seems fitting that after posting a picture of a Sedge Wren, I was able to get a reasonable picture of a House Wren today!

This House Wren was right near the new Observation Platform at Volo Bog today. I was not happy this morning when I turned up what I considered to be later (7:30AM) only to find that the gates don't open until 8AM!!?? I have no idea why it would be so late on a weekend (or a weekday for that matter). Anyway, I waited until 8AM for someone to open the gates (which they did).

The House Wren is a much browner bird than the Sedge Wren and has barring on the wings & tail. The House Wren lacks the strong pale eyebrow of the Sedge Wren and is light brown below, compared to cream for the Sedge and has generally less contrast. Most importantly, the House Wren lacks the dark streaking on the back compared with the Sedge Wren. Besides all that, the House Wren sounds quite different. The Winter Wren is a little darker and has a noticeable shorter tail and strong barring on its flanks.
Sedge Wren cf House Wren
Oddly enough, while photographing this House Wren, I could hear (and later saw) a Sedge Wren about fifty yards away. In fact there were almost as many Sedge Wrens as House Wrens. These House Wrens all stayed where they belong, in the trees & bushes, while the Sedge Wrens inhabited the grasses on the bog itself.