With probably the highest noise to size ratio of any bird, the wren, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ก๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ก๐๐ , is a loud mouth. Known as the cute cave dweller in French (troglodyte mignon) its Dutch name winterkoning recalls the folktale about when the birds held a contest to see who could fly highest. The eagle rose higher than all the others. But a wren had hidden in the eagleโs feathers and when the eagle tired, the wren flew a little higher and won the crown.
Amongst an array of noises, there are two giveaways. One is a churring trilling and the other a stony โtchakโ, the latter being its alarm call.
When all is quiet in the Forest, from low on the margins, perhaps amongst a woodfall, a wren may ring out in protest of your presence. It is an impertinent bird.
The illustration is courtesy of my talented friend, Peter Dawson. I prefer to photograph plants and monuments, they stay still for longer.