Wren vs Sparrow: What Bird Are You Seeing?

Wren vs Sparrow: ID Challenge

House Wren

Courtesy Amy Harkness

The house wren and house sparrow are small brown birds with similar names. Both species are commonly seen in backyards. However there are some easy ways to tell the difference between a wren vs a sparrow.

A house wren has a longer, thinner bill that is perfect for catching and eating insects. You will rarely see them stop by your feeding station for seeds and suet. However, these cavity nesting birds will often use birdhouses to raise a family in your yard. House wrens migrate south in winter and are most often spotted across most of the United States in the summer months. They are also are smaller birds than house sparrows and tend to prefer low, brushy habitats more than wide open areas.

Courtesy Karen Elliott

Some other wrens you might see in the United States include Carolina wrens and cactus wrens.

Enjoy 16 delightful pictures of wren birds.

House Sparrow

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The house sparrow has a thicker, sturdier bill for eating seeds and cracked corn. This species commonly visits bird feeders. Males have a distinctive black bib, but the female is more plainly colored. Though this species also uses bird houses, these invasive birds are are seen as undesirable by birders. This is because they kill or harm native species such as bluebirds. Here’s how to keep their nests out of bluebird boxes.

Courtesy Clay Finney

House sparrows are extremely adaptable birds. You can frequently spot them at restaurant patios and anywhere they can snag a spare crumb on the ground.

Though house sparrows tend to have a bad reputation, there are many other native sparrow species you might see across North America. Look for the song sparrow, the chipping sparrow, and the white-throated sparrow.