Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), Hassayampa River Preserve, Maricopa County

This Winter Wren was discovered and photographed by Tommy DeBardeleben on 08 November 2012 at the Hassayampa River Preserve.

Winter Wren has been split into two species, the eastern Winter Wren and the western Pacific Wren. Since they have only been recently split, their distribution in Arizona is poorly known. Pacific Wren is thought to be the more regular of the two forms in Arizona and Winter Wren was thought to be a rare visitor. However, over the last couple of winters we are learning that Winter Wren is more regular than previously thought.

Pale throat and white spots on the back point toward Eastern Winter Wren rather than Pacific which would be darker overall.

08 November 2012, photo by Tommy DeBardeleben