Wrens are typically known as small chunky songbirds which encompass a total of 88 species according to recent sources. Thirteen of these are considered endemic to Mexico. During a recent photography project at Hacienda Clemente Jacques, five species were spotted, of which select photos appear on this webpage.

Depending on the particular species, wrens range from 10 centimeters in length and 9 grams in weight and up to 22 centimeters and 50 grams. Colors are typically drab, with common colors being gray, brown, black and white. Only one species, the Eurasian Wren, is found outside of the Americas and the Caribbean islands. The name of wren is applied in some countries, such as New Zealand and Australia, to other unrelated birds.

Wrens mostly feed on tiny insects, spiders and other invertebrates but will also snack on other foods, such as small lizards, vegetable matter, seeds, and berries. Most of the time they will be spotted individually or in pairs, although some tropical species will be seen in groupings of up to 20 birds.

True to the ebullient nature of songbirds, wrens can have loud and complex songs, such as is the case with the Canyon Wren pictured above. Singing notwithstanding, they tend to be shy and scurry away from humans.