Troglodytes troglodytes · Irish: Dreoilín

Tiny in size, enormous in voice — Ireland's "King of the Birds".

Habitat: Gardens, hedgerows, woodland and stone walls — almost anywhere with low cover. | Season: All year

Identification

• Very small, round and warm brown with fine barring
• Short, often cocked tail

Behaviour

Explosively loud song for its size; celebrated in Irish folklore as "Rí na nÉan" (King of the Birds), and once central to the old Wren Boy tradition on St Stephen's Day.

Did you know?

Ireland's old Wren Boy tradition sees mummers parade from house to house on St Stephen's Day (26th December), historically carrying a decoy wren — today a colourful custom of music and costume rather than a real bird.

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