from the over 60 types of the neuweltlichen wrens is only one type, the wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), after the last Vereisung, originating from the Mediterranean-area, also in Europe native become and could prolong its spread-area as far as into the southeast Asia. The same type broods in North America of Alaska until California southwards. In North America, 10 further types, that distribute others, seem to itself - Z. T. very locally - on whole South America.
Way of life The individual wren-types live in very different habitats. The undergrowth of the forests in the restrained and tropical zones, in which the wrens lead a very hidden life, is preferred populated. In addition, Z has. B. the cactus-wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, 22 cm of length) the life in the hot desert, other types, adjusted the extremely moist swamp-vegetation the swamp-wrens (type Cistothorus). In the old world, the wren itself knows rocky slopes at the coast and, to use above the timberline in the mountains.
The wrens look for insects and spiders with preference in the dense Bodenbewuchs. On this occasion particularly the smaller types are at the advantage opposite many food-competitors, because they reach its food also in deep, protected splits and rock-crannies.
In contrast to the hidden way of life, the distinctive tone-behavior stands. The whole year over can hear the mighty chant of the wrens one, from males and females to same extent. Some types, Z, count for it. B. the Rotkehl-Zaunkönig (Cyphorinus aradus) from the Amazon-area, to the best singers among the birds. The sociable birds have a series of voice-contact-tones moreover, that makes an acoustic communication possible in the dense sub-growth, at their disposal.
Characteristics Although the group is quite uniform regarding its anatomical characteristics, however, the size with 9-22 cm of length can fluctuate considerably. In Europe, the wren with 9,5 cm of length is among the smallest birds. The narrowly striped brown, black or gray plumage, that doesn't differ in both sexes, is typical. In accordance with its way of life, the beak of the wrens is pointed and slim.
Brood While some types of the northern regions are polygamously ("in many-marriage") alive, one hardly finds this behavior in the tropics and subtropics. Always, a sufficient food-offer and favorable weather-conditions are the prerequisite for the many-marriage of the males. Then, the male builds several cups alone - or spherical nests in ground-proximity. they are hidden in the plant-growth or in a cave (the scientific name "troglodytes" means cave-breeders Greek) and must show the females in the course of this of performing courtship display and by these are assumed. Often, the additional nests are also used by the males only as sleep-nests.
The tasks of the alto-birds in the course of the brood are very differently distributed. While the tropical types concentrate completely on the feeding of the one of female on the nest, the polygamous wren-males try to obtain usually only the nest with the in each case youngest brood and leave to the other females to look for its food even and to rear also the boys alone. If a female precipitates however completely, the male can also take over the brood-business completely.
Since the wrens behave mainly as stand-birds, causes long and strict winters big losses of the northern populations, that are evened out again by higher egg-numbers in the nest (5-8) in the course of several years. In the warmer areas, the egg-numbers are generally more inferior (2-5) several yearly-broods are possible for it.
The nests are liked to also use outside the incubation as sleep-nests. Here, the birds are individual or sociably to find in the family-association.
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