Rock Wren

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) is in the Wrens family (Troglodytidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 16,472 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Rock Wren: observations by month (U.S.)

About Rock Wren

The rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) is a small songbird of the wren family native to South America and western North America. It is the only species in the genus Salpinctes. Adults are about 12 cm long. They have grey-brown upperparts with small black and white spots and pale grey underparts with a light brown rump. Additional distinctive features include a light grey line over the eye, a long slightly decurved thin bill, a long barred tail and...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Rock Wren by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Wrens)

Carolina WrenThryothorus ludovicianus

Northern House WrenTroglodytes aedon

Bewick's WrenThryomanes bewickii

Cactus WrenCampylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Marsh WrenCistothorus palustris

Winter WrenTroglodytes hiemalis

Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificus

Canyon WrenCatherpes mexicanus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ