Wrentit
Chamaea fasciata
The Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata) is a common parrotbill found in 3 countries, weighing about 15 g. The wrentit is a small bird that lives in chaparral, oak woodlands, and bushland on the western coast of North America, from Oregon south through California to northern Baja California.
About the Wrentit
The wrentit is a small bird that lives in chaparral, oak woodlands, and bushland on the western coast of North America, from Oregon south through California to northern Baja California. It is the only species in the genus Chamaea.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The wrentit is a small, 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) bird with uniform dull olive, brown, or grayish plumage. It has short wings and a long tail often held high (hence the comparison to wrens). It has a short bill and a pale iris. Given its retiring nature and loud voice, the wrentit is more likely to be detected by its call than by sight. The distinct sound that it makes is similar to the sound of a ping-pong ball falling on the table.
What the Wrentit sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Costa Rica.
When to see it
The Wrentit can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Wrentit?
- The wrentit is a small, 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) bird with uniform dull olive, brown, or grayish plumage. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Wrentit?
- The Wrentit is a tiny sized bird weighing about 15 g.
- Where can you see a Wrentit?
- The Wrentit occurs in 3 countries, including the United States and Mexico.
- What does a Wrentit sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Wrentit on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Wrentit?
- The Wrentit is most easily confused with the Yellow-eyed Babbler, the White-browed Fulvetta and the Taiwan Fulvetta.
- Is the Wrentit endangered?
- The Wrentit is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Wrentit for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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