Species › Birds › Canyon Wren

Canyon Wren

Catherpes mexicanus

CommonBird
Illustration of Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus)

The Canyon Wren is an inhabitant of rocky cliffs and boulder fields in the West whose descending, cascading song — a series of rich, liquid notes tumbling down the scale — echoes beautifully off canyon walls. It creeps along vertical rock faces with extraordinary agility, using its laterally compressed body to squeeze into crevices for insects. Its white throat against a rufous body is distinctive.

Habitat
Rocky canyons, cliffs, and boulder-strewn hillsides
Diet
Spiders, insects, and small invertebrates from rock crevices
How common
Common

Best time to see a Canyon Wren

The best time to see a Canyon Wren is January–July, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,630 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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