Hello, everyone! As you walk down the forest path, you might suddenly hear a beautiful chirping that catches your ear. That might just be the Eurasian Wren. Let’s take a peek into the fascinating world of this bird that greatly surprises us.
This bird, the Eurasian Wren, has a small body, measuring only about 11cm in length and weighing between 7-13g, roughly the size of a golf ball. It shares the title of being one of the smallest birds in Japan with the Goldcrest. Both males and females are brown with black-brown bars on their upper parts and wings, and black and white wavy bars on their underside. Their bodies are rounded, and they always hold their short tails up as if they are always trying to say something. This characteristic appearance highlights the charm of the Eurasian Wren.
The most surprising aspect of the Eurasian Wren is its “song.” The long, complex, and rapid chirping that sounds like “Tsipitsipichirililichorichorilililitsuitsu…” comes with such a loud volume that it’s hard to believe it comes from such a small body! In spring, this beautiful voice fills the forest. The Eurasian Wren has an interesting diet, mainly consisting of insects and spiders. Its movements are very lively and cute. Watching it look around curiously never gets boring. Especially the gesture it makes when it lowers its body and looks back and forth, as if it were a little detective, is bound to bring a smile to your face.
Their nest-building is also unique. The pot-shaped nest has its entrance and exit on opposite sides, allowing it to escape from predators. The exterior of the nest is camouflaged with moss, blending into nature.
The Eurasian Wren has been familiar to people around the world for a long time, appearing in Japan’s ancient chronicles, the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, in Ainu folklore as a hero that defeats bears, and in European Grimm’s fairy tales and folklore as the “king of birds.” The next time you walk in the forest, be sure to listen for its beautiful chirping. You are sure to become captivated by the Eurasian Wren!
