Differences between Chickadee and Wren

Chickadee and Wren are two classes of birds that belong to the Paridae and Troglodytidae families respectively.

Chickadee is a group of North American songbirds that symbolizes energy and courage. The name is analogous to the bird’s call notes that is usually used to send out alarms. It is interesting that the number of times ‘dee’ is called out is based on the type of predator. Chickadees are capable of producing 13 types of complex vocalizations. Chickadees are small birds with a round head and long tail. Their crown, forehead, and neck are deep black in color. The cheeks and belly are pure white, while the back is grey. The wings and tail are streaks of white and black. The eyes of Chickadees are brown. Their bill is short, slightly curved, and black. Chickadee is an inquisitive bird and quick in spotting preys and feeders. It is especially known for its exemplary memory. The bird conceals about 80,000 seeds in different places during the summer and reclaims them efficiently in the winter. Chickadees are also capable of identifying and remembering every aspect of their environment.

Wrens are tiny song birds. They have a loud voice. The songs of these passerines are considered to be very pleasant. Hence, they are also known as musician wren, flutist wren, and song wren. Wrens are round and stout. The wings, tail, and back are brown, while the belly is greyish white. There are numerous streaks and spots all over the body. The tail is short and firm. The bill is thin and slightly bent at the tip. The legs are thin and long with feet adapted for perching. The family of Wrens includes 88 species. House Wren, Winter Wren, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Eurasian Wren, Giant Wren, Spotted Wren, and Bewick’s Wren are a few of them.

Where are Chickadee and Wren found?

Chickadees generally live in dense forests and coniferous regions. However, they can also be found in open grasslands and open woods near waterbeds. They have also adapted themselves to live in parks and gardens in cities. They are regular visitors at backyards. Chickadees are native to North America. They exist there in huge population. There are seven Chickadee species in the continent. Some of them are Mountain Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Mexican Chickadee, and Black-capped Chickadee. Similar birds exist in Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, only the North American group of birds are known as Chickadees. The other identical birds are mostly known as tits.

Wrens live in open forests, orchards near streams, mountains, gardens, shrubs, and towns. Their species are spread across the world. They can be found in Canada, North America, and South America. The Eurasian species exist in parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The name Wren is also used for other distinct birds in Australia and New Zealand.

What do Chickadee and Wren eat?

Chickadees are omnivores. They mostly eat insects, snails, spiders, worms, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and ants besides berries, seeds, and fruits. Occasionally the birds also eat small invertebrates and carrion.

Wrens are either omnivores or insectivores. They chiefly eat insects, worms, spiders, small lizards and frogs. Some of them also eat fruits, berries, and vegetables.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Chickadee and Wren

• Neither Chickadee nor Wren eat Fish.
• Chickadee do not eat Frogs while Wren eat Frogs.
• Both Chickadee and Wren eat Lizards.
• Chickadee do eat Snakes while Wren may not eat Snakes.
• Neither Chickadee nor Wren eat Turtles.
• Neither Chickadee nor Wren eat Squirrels.
• Chickadee and Wren do not eat Gophers.
• Both Chickadee and Wren do not eat Baby Ducks.
• Mice are not eaten by both Chickadee and Wren.

Size of Chickadee and Wren?

When it comes to size, Chickadees are small birds. They are 2.4-5.5 inches long and have a wingspan of six to eight inches.. The size of Wrens depends on the species. The smallest Wren is the White-bellied Wren, which is about 10 centimeters long. The Giant Wren, the largest of the species, is around 22 centimeters long. The Eurasian Wren is one of the smallest birds in Europe. It is eight to 12 centimeters long.

The weight of Chickadees depends on the species. The average weight is 0.29-0.39 ounces. while The White-bellied Wren weighs about 0.32 ounces, while the Giant Wren is around 1.8 ounces in weight.

Where do Chickadee and Wren nest?

Chickadees generally build their nests in wooded areas, four to 15 feet above the ground. They prefer tree holes and cavities. They also use boxes and birdhouses. Sometimes, the male and female partners dig cavities in the trees. The female bird chooses the nesting site and constructs the nest. The nest of Chickadees is shaped like a cup and made of twigs, leaves, and other material on the outer. It is lined with soft material like moss, rabbit fur, and feathers on the inside. Chickadee eggs are pinkish white with dark speckles. The female incubates them for 12-13 days during which time she is fed by her partner. After the eggs hatch, both partners share the duties of feeding and protecting the young ones. The chicks fledge when they are about 16 days old.

Wrens build their nests in hollows of trees, rocks, and buildings. Nests, shaped like domes, are usually made using leaves, twigs, moss, feathers, and other plant material. In most Wren species, the male makes the structure of the nest with the female finishing it up. In other species, the male constructs several nests and the female chooses one to lay the eggs. It may take one to two weeks to build the nests. Wren eggs are pinkish white or pinkish grey with brown speckles. The female takes the responsibility of incubating the eggs for 12-15 days. Once the eggs hatch, both parents take turns to feed the nestlings. The young ones will be able to fledge when they are 12-18 days old but follow the parents for few days to learn about foraging and safeguarding themselves from predators.

How long do Chickadee and Wren live?

The average lifespan of Chickadees in the wild is three to seven years. Most nestlings face threat of being eaten by hawks, owls, and other mammals that climb trees. The longest known lived Chickadee was 11 years and five months old.

The life expectancy of Wrens depends on the species. The average lifespan is two to seven years. The longest known living Wren was eight years old when it was captured for banding in 1986 in California.

Are Chickadee or Wren migratory birds?

Chickadees are typically non-migratory. They reside in their territories throughout the year. While adult birds always stay put by huddling together in small flocks during winters, the young ones may travel long distances when population at their territories increases after breeding. However, this cannot be termed as migration. Winters are managed without migration as Chickadees have special adaptations. They have dense plumes that help them maintain body temperature during the day. At nights, they roost in flocks. The birds also stay active to keep themselves warm. Further, Chickadees store seeds and grains in summers so they don’t run out of food during winters.

Most Wren species are migratory. The ones in North America and Canada migrate to the USA and Mexico in winters. They will go back north during March-May. Wrens in the UK are mostly residents. Wren species from northern Europe travel about 1,500 miles to spend their winters in the south. Even in Asia, the same migration pattern occurs. Only the birds from the northern hemisphere typically travel during winters.

Do Chickadee and Wren fly in flocks?

A flock of Chickadees is called banditry. These birds are extremely gregarious. They are friendly with birds of their own species as well as other birds. They use special calls to interact with their flocks. The birds also follow a complex social hierarchy. Chickadees mostly live in pairs during the breeding season. In other times, they live in small flocks of four to 12 birds. In winters they roost in flocks to maintain body temperature.

A group of Wrens is usually addressed as a herd. Wrens are solitary birds. They forage alone or in pairs. Sometimes they can be spotted in very small groups. On cold nights, however, they roost in packed clusters for warmth. Wrens are extremely territorial. They do not welcome other birds having their nests near theirs. Some species, like the House Wren, are also very aggressive. They can even be acrimonious towards their own species, other birds, and also humans.

Are Chickadee or Wren protected?

Chickadees are protected under the law in North America. According to the law, it is illegal to hunt, harm, trap or transport the birds or their nests.

Wrens are protected under the Migratory Bird Act in the USA and Canada. They are protected in the UK as part of conservation efforts. The bird also appears in the European Union’s list of threatened birds requiring special protection.

Are Chickadee or Wren endangered?

Chickadees are neither threatened nor endangered. They exist in booming numbers. However, their population is expected to get scattered and their habitats are likely to get distributed owing to global warming and climate change.

Wrens are not primarily endangered birds. Some species like Sedge Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Niceforo’s Wren, Apolinar’s Wren, Fairy Wrens, and Emu Wren are either threatened or endangered. Wrens have a short lifespan, during which time they face threats such as attacks from predators, risk of dying from cold weather, and long flights during migration.

Can Chickadee and Wren fly?

In flight, the wings and tail of Chickadees are spread out. The birds move up and down while flying and usually do not fly in a straight line. They flap their wings vigorously in short intervals. The maximum flying speed of Chickadees is 12 miles per hour. Chickadees either fly alone or in flocks that may also include other species of birds. They are capable of performing acrobatics while hanging on to trees or bird feeders.

Wrens are active birds. They are always hopping, running, or taking short flights in search of food. When they have to fly, they take off directly by beating their wings vigorously. Wrens can fly at maximum speed of 20-25 miles an hour. In winters, some species travel as much as 1,500 miles.

Can Chickadee and Wren swim?

Chickadees are small birds with feet adapted for perching. Therefore, they cannot swim. But the birds visit shallow waters for drinking and bathing. They are also capable of bathing in cold icy waters during winters.

Wrens are not water birds. They are also tiny birds without webbed feet. So, they do not swim.

Mating patterns among Chickadee and Wren

Chickadees attain sexual maturity when they are six to eight months old. Soon after winter, the flocks start disintegrating and the birds will become more territorial. There is no particular mating ritual that Chickadees follow. The male Chickadees become aggressive to defend their territories. Some of them also feed their partners. The male and female engage in singing and fluttering of wings during courtship. The female recites ‘dee’ multiple times to keep her partner undistracted. At the same time, she is observant of the singing competitions between her partner and other males. Chickadees generally raise only one brood each year. The clutch could have one to 13 eggs depending on the species. The female lays one egg per day. Older females lay the maximum number of eggs. The female bird incubates the eggs and also protects them from predators. She is supported by her partner after hatching to tend to the young ones.

Wrens generally attain sexual maturity when they are about a year old. The male perches at the nesting sites that he has prepared, singing throughout the day to attract a partner. The female chooses a nesting site and fills in more twigs, grass, and feathers to complete the nest. This is an indication of her approval to pair with the male. The female Wren raises two broods every breeding season with each clutch consisting of three to 10 eggs. While the female mostly incubates the eggs, the male shares responsibility to feed and protect the young ones.

When is the mating season for Chickadee and Wren ?

The mating season for Chickadees occurs during April-June. The birds start pairing in the beginning of April and by the start of May they start building their nests.

The breeding season for Wrens differs as per species and geography. Typically, it is between April and July each year.

Do Chickadee and Wren mate for life?

Chickadees are usually monogamous. Their relationships last for several years or for life. In some cases, the female may dissociate from her partner if she finds another mate from a higher status in the hierarchy.

Wrens are not monogamous. The partners are bonded until they raise a brood. They usually stay together until their young ones fledge. While the male may seek another pair much earlier, the female waits until she has completed her maternal duties.

How do Chickadee and Wren sleep?

Chickadees sleep in tree holes, bird boxes, or ledges of buildings. They prefer to sleep alone except in winters when they huddle together with their flock. During winters, the birds eat plenty of seeds and insects to endure the long cold nights when they will not be able to venture out for foraging.

Wrens choose cosy and protected locations for sleeping at nights. These locations could include tree holes, bird boxes, corners of buildings, and deserted vehicles. In winters, the birds roost in flocks, huddling to keep warm.

Can Chickadee and Wren be eaten?

There have been instances of people eating the meat of Chickadees in the past. However, harming and hunting of these birds is illegal under modern laws.

There are no known instances of humans eating Wren meat. This could be because these birds are tiny with very little flesh. Further, modern laws in many countries prohibit killing of Wrens.

Can you hunt Chickadee or Wren?

Chickadees may have been hunted in the past for their meat. However, modern laws do not permit hunting, harming, or trapping of the birds.

Hunting of the birds is against the law in several countries. However, Wren Day or Hunt the Wren Day is a tradition followed in many parts of Europe in the month of December. On this day, people hunt Wrens and hang them on top of poles.

Can you feed Chickadee or Wren?

Chickadees have never been domesticated by humans. They are nevertheless offered food at bird feeders. People usually give them sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet blends.

In some countries, it may not be legal to offer food to birds at public places. At bird feeders, the best food you can give Wrens is crickets, worms, peanuts, and berries.