Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Linnaeus       Field Guide IDs: NG-334; G-236; PE-214; PW-pl 46; AE-pl 487; AW-pl 527; AM(II)-352 Nest Location Nest Type Eggs & Mating System Dev. & Parental Care Primary & 2ndary Diet.. Foraging Strategy F I: 11?-16 DAYS ALTRICIAL 0 - 6 feet (To 7 feet +) MF 5-6 (4-7) POLYGN F: 19 DAYS F FOLIAGE GLEAN BREEDING: Near water in dense conif (rarely decid) forest, often with heavy understory. 2? broods. DISPLAYS: Male squats, quivers wings, moves tail from side to side, gives modified alarm call, then erects back feathers and fans wings. NEST: Usu in natural cavity in or under stump, amid roots of upturned tree, and in tree, occ in old woodpecker hole or rock crevice (in arctic); bulky, of moss on base of twigs, lined with feathers, hair. EGGS: White, flecked with browns, often mostly at large end. 0.6" (17 mm). DIET: Includes spiders; in winter, rarely takes juniper or cedar berries. CONSERVATION: Winter resident along w coast; remainder migratory within U.S. NOTES: Male often builds crude "dummy" nests. Highly polygynous in Europe, apparenty so in N.A., as well. Secretive, usu seen in low tangles of veg, around logs, etc. Habitually teeters and bobs. May immerse entire head to obtain aquatic insects. Widespread in Eurasia; only member of wren family found in Old World where known as "the Wren." STANFORD. NOTES: ESSAYS: Vocal Functions; Polygyny; Island Biogeography REFERENCES: Kroodsma, 1980.