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GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist has written a blog about science since 4 August 2004 (the early years are archived here) and was part of the original invited group of 14 "SciBlings" -- her only claim to fame. If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, please help her pay her living expenses by clicking on the Paypal button below and by voting for her to be the official blogger on a month long adventure in Antarctica. If you read an essay that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for OpenLab2009.

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« Birdbooker Report 34 | Main | 42nd Street/Times Square Subway Art 2 [Detail 10] »

Wren

Topic Categories: BirdsImage of the Day
Posted on: October 5, 2008 2:59 PM, by "GrrlScientist"

tags: , , ,

Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes, near Bridge of Orchy, Scotland.
Known in Europe as "the" wren, and in North America as the Winter Wren.

Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008 [larger view].

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Comments

1

Does anyone know why it got its scientific name? I can't see any relationship to cave living.

Ah, OK, I found the answer myself:

^ Etymology: Ancient Greek τρωγλοδύτες "cave-dwellers" (compare troglodyte), from trogle (τρώγλη) "hole" + dyein (δυειν) "to enter". In reference to the tendency of these wrens to enter small crevices as they search for food.

Posted by: Bob O'H | October 5, 2008 3:21 PM

2

UPDATE: A seconded squatter has now been also sleeping in last springs Cardinal nest! I'm wondering if these house wrens might have been nestlings together - hmmmmmm...Amazing Mother Nature....:o)

Posted by: Diane in Ohio | October 5, 2008 3:57 PM

3

Sweet photo, Dave!
It likely won't be long before we have lots of species split out from this holarctic taxon; can't wait!
r

Posted by: Rick Wright | October 5, 2008 6:54 PM

4

It's interesting you post this picture right after your trip to England. The wren was featured on a now obsolete coin called a farthing, which is one quarter of one (old) English penny. From the difference in size of the two coins comes the name for the bicycle which has a giant front wheel and a tiny rear wheel, the penny-farthing. The old penny was very large and the farthing was very small (tiny bird, tiny coin).

That's the only serious comment I'm going to make today and you get it, GS. Don't you feel honored?!

Posted by: Ian | October 6, 2008 8:09 AM

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