1. grrlscientist
  2. Wren

Wren

By grrlscientist on October 5, 2008.

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].

Tags
image of the day
bird watching
birding
birds
Nature
Scotland
Troglodytes troglodytes
wildlife
wren
image of the day

More like this

Mystery Bird: Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
tags: Wren, Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz [Mystery bird] Wren (known as the "Winter Wren" in the United States), Troglodytes troglodytes, photographed near the Bridge of Orchy, Scotland. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow] Image: Dave Rintoul,…
Rock Wren
tags: Rock Wren, Salpinctes obsoletus, birds, nature, Image of the Day My good friend, Dave Rintoul, has just returned from a much-deserved vacation camping in the Chiricahuas and Gila Wilderness area and sent a couple images to share with you. Rock Wren, Salpinctes obsoletus, in Chaco Canyon.…
Callanais Stone Circle, 3
tags: Callanis Stone Circle, Callanish, Isle of Lewis Scotland, Image of the Day Callanish (Callanais) stone circle on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. This image present a view of central monolith and central cairn. Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008. [larger view].
Callanais Stone Circle, 1
tags: Callanais Stone Circle, Callanish, Isle of Lewis Scotland, Image of the Day Callanish. Callanish (Callanais) stone circle on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. View from southeast. Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008 [larger view].

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 ÏÏÏγλοδÏÏÎµÏ "cave-dwellers" (compare troglodyte), from trogle (ÏÏÏγλη) "hole" + dyein (δÏειν) "to enter". In reference to the tendency of these wrens to enter small crevices as they search for food.

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)

By Diane in Ohio (not verified) on 05 Oct 2008 #permalink

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?!