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Northern House Wren

Troglodytes aedon

Bird · family Troglodytidae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
49 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
9 years[4]

The Northern House Wren is a small songbird in the wren family[5]. NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide, and it is native to 49 US states and territories[2][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the Northern House Wren G5 (Secure) worldwide and N5 (Secure) in the United States[2][6]. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is still on the federal list of migratory birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[7]. NatureServe estimates more than 1,000,000 adults worldwide[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[7] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[8] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Northern House Wren lives

NatureServe lists this wren as native in 49 US states and territories, including the District of Columbia[3]. That covers states from Maine and Florida to Washington and California[3]. State ranks differ from place to place, and some states rank it as Secure while others note it only in the breeding or winter season[9]. A state list shows where NatureServe records the bird, not a promise that you will see one there[3].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S4BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S5BWIVermont: native, state rank S5BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5BNHWashington: native, state rank S5BWAIdaho: native, state rank S4BIDMontana: native, state rank S5BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRBNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRBMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5BMAOregon: native, state rank S4ORNevada: native, state rank S5NVWyoming: native, state rank S5B,S5NWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5BSDIowa: native, state rank S5B,S5NIAIndiana: native, state rank S5BINOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S4BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S5BRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S5B,S3NUTColorado: native, state rank S5CONebraska: native, state rank S5NEMissouri: native, state rank SNRBMOKentucky: native, state rank S4BKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S5B,S1NWVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S5BMDDelaware: native, state rank S5BDEArizona: native, state rank S5AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S3B,S4MNMKansas: native, state rank S5BKSArkansas: native, state rank S4ARTennessee: native, state rank S4TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5B,S5NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S4N,S5BDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S4NLAMississippi: native, state rank S5NMSAlabama: native, state rank S2B,S5NALGeorgia: native, state rank S4GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S2B,S5NTXFlorida: native, state rank SNRNFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[9].
Show state ranks (49 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS2B,S5NImperiled (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
ArizonaS5Secure
ArkansasS4Apparently Secure
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS5Secure
ConnecticutS5BSecure (breeding)
DelawareS5BSecure (breeding)
District of ColumbiaS4N,S5BApparently Secure (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
FloridaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
GeorgiaS4Apparently Secure
IdahoS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS5BSecure (breeding)
IowaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
KansasS5BSecure (breeding)
KentuckyS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
LouisianaS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MaineS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MarylandS5BSecure (breeding)
MassachusettsS5BSecure (breeding)
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MississippiS5NSecure (nonbreeding)
MissouriSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MontanaS5BSecure (breeding)
NebraskaS5Secure
NevadaS5Secure
New HampshireS5BSecure (breeding)
New JerseyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS3B,S4MVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (migrant)
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonS4Apparently Secure
PennsylvaniaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
Rhode IslandS5BSecure (breeding)
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
South DakotaS5BSecure (breeding)
TennesseeS4Apparently Secure
TexasS2B,S5NImperiled (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
UtahS5B,S3NSecure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
VermontS5BSecure (breeding)
VirginiaS5Secure
WashingtonS5BSecure (breeding)
West VirginiaS5B,S1NSecure (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS5BSecure (breeding)
WyomingS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this wren. They include hardwood, conifer and mixed woodland, shrubland, old fields, suburban areas and orchards, and wetlands with shrubs or trees[10]. It also uses riparian areas, which are the green strips along streams[10]. NatureServe says it is found most often in places changed by people, such as farmland and areas around homes[11]. It nests mostly in cavities, including old woodpecker holes and bird boxes, and often reuses a cavity in later years[11].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[10]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Northern House Wren eats almost entirely insects and a few other small invertebrates[12][13]. One estimate puts its diet at 80% invertebrates and 20% other plant material[14]. NatureServe gives its typical length as 12 cm (5 in)[15]. Its typical weight is 11 g[16]. In the north, clutches average about 5 to 7 eggs, and a female may raise 2, sometimes 3, broods a year[17]. The female incubates the eggs for 12 to 15 days[17]. The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 9 years, and the oldest known banded bird was at least 9 years 0 months old[18][4].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 12 cm (5 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 11 g (0.4 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[18] 9 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 9 years 0 months
Litter or clutch size[19] 7
Gestation or incubation[20] 13 days
Female maturity[21] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[13] Invertivore
Migration[22] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[14]

  • 80% invertebrates
  • 20% other plant material

When to look for it

This wren is active in the daytime[23]. Populations in the north migrate, while tropical ones stay put all year[24]. Breeding birds north of the southern United States head south for winter, and spring migrants reach northern breeding areas from March to May[24]. Egg laying in the US starts as early as April in some areas and in May in most regions, and nesting can run into July or August[17]. Observation records on GBIF peak in May, June and July, which reflects when people look and report, not how many birds there are[25].

January: 114,928 recordsJanFebruary: 88,630 recordsFebMarch: 106,789 recordsMarApril: 503,911 recordsAprMay: 1,730,307 recordsMayJune: 951,656 recordsJunJuly: 669,117 recordsJulAugust: 379,382 recordsAugSeptember: 409,091 recordsSepOctober: 263,140 recordsOctNovember: 161,218 recordsNovDecember: 140,657 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[25].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January114,928
February88,630
March106,789
April503,911
May1,730,307
June951,656
July669,117
August379,382
September409,091
October263,140
November161,218
December140,657

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Northern House Wren as present in 222 park units[26]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 198 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin[27]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Northern House Wren endangered?
No. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[2].
Where does the Northern House Wren live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 49 US states and territories[3]. It is found most often in places changed by people, along with woodland, brushy areas and wetlands[10][11].
What does the Northern House Wren eat?
It eats almost entirely insects and some other small invertebrates[12]. One estimate is 80% invertebrates and 20% other plant material[14].
How big is a Northern House Wren?
NatureServe gives a typical length of 12 cm (5 in)[15]. The typical weight is 11 g[16].
How long does a Northern House Wren live?
The oldest known wild bird from banding records was at least 9 years 0 months old[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan[18].

Facts and sources

  1. Northern House Wren is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Northern House Wren: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Northern House Wren as native in 49 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Northern House Wren from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 9 years 0 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) is a bird in the family Troglodytidae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. Northern House Wren is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  8. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe state ranks for Northern House Wren (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  10. Habitat types NatureServe records for Northern House Wren: Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Old field, Suburban/orchard, Scrub-shrub wetland, Forested wetland, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe notes on habitat for Northern House Wren. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on food for Northern House Wren. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 80% invertebrates, 20% other plant material. EltonTraits 1.0
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 12 cm (5 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 11 g (0.4 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Northern House Wren. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 9 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  19. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 7. AnAge
  20. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 13 days. AnAge
  21. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  22. NatureServe migration category for Northern House Wren: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  23. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe notes on migration for Northern House Wren. NatureServe Explorer
  25. GBIF observation records of Northern House Wren in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  26. NPSpecies park lists recording Northern House Wren as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  27. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Northern House Wren: California, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.