Identification: Wrens are familiar birds with rich brown finely barred plumage, a tiny fat body and a spiky tail which is always held cocked up.

Habitat: Breeds and winters in gardens, woodland, parks, wasteground and hedges.

Distribution: An abundant resident throughout Britain, with endemic races found on Fair Isle, Shetland, St. Kilda and the Outer Hebrides.

An abundant resident throughout Britain, with endemic races found on Fair Isle, Shetland, St. Kilda and the Outer Hebrides.

Population: 7 100 000 territories throughout Britain with 2 800 000 in Ireland.

20-26 million breeding pairs of this widespread and numerous bird throughout Europe, becoming rarer eastwards into Russia and northwards in Scandinavia.