Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), Granite Reef Recreation Site, Maricopa County

This Eastern Winter Wren was discovered on 30 December 2010 by Tommy DeBardeleben and photographed  by him on 26 February 2011.

Rare but nearly annual visitor in past years, but a surprising number of reports this winter.  This is the eighth one documented to AZFO this winter.

Winter Wren has a noticeable and distinct supercillum, barred flanks, and a short tail. Pacific Wren has those same features as well, but the two are separated visually by color, as the Winter Wren has a pale throat and much lighter breast than the darker colored Pacific Wren. They also differ significantly in their call notes, which is what is mainly heard when these species are observed in Arizona.

26 February 2011, photo by Tommy DeBardeleben

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