Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), Madera Canyon at Proctor Road, Pima County

This Eastern Winter Wren was discovered and photographed by Chris McCreedy on 16 January 2011

Winter Wren in North America was recently split into two species. The western form is now called Pacific Wren and the eastern form retains the name Winter Wren. Pacific Wren is rare but regular in winter in Arizona. The status of Winter Wren remains unclear. It has been reported about once a year for the last decade and three were documented last year on the AZFO site. Now that it has been designated a separate species, more reports will hopefully be forthcoming that will clarify the status of Winter Wren in Arizona, but evidence is mounting that it too is a rare but regular winter visitor. 

The two species formerly known as Winter Wren are best separated by vocalization, but they do differ visually as well. Note especially the pale coloration on the throat and breast, which separates this Winter Wren from the darker Pacific Wren.

16 January 2011, photo by Chris McCreedy