Shetland wren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shetland wren |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Troglodytidae |
| Genus: | Troglodytes |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
T. t. zetlandicus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Troglodytes troglodytes zetlandicus Hartert, 1910
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The Shetland wren (Troglodytes troglodytes zetlandicus) is a small, energetic bird that belongs to the wren family. It's a special type, or subspecies, of the common Eurasian wren. You can only find this unique bird living in the Shetland Islands, a group of islands off the coast of Scotland. However, it's not found on Fair Isle, which has its own special wren.
The Shetland wren looks a bit different from other wrens. It has darker, more reddish-brown feathers. Its belly and chest have many dark stripes, making it easy to spot. This wren also has a stronger, longer bill and powerful legs.
What Does the Shetland Wren Look Like?
Adult Shetland wrens are quite small, measuring about 9 to 11 centimeters (3.5 to 4.3 inches) long. Both male and female wrens look very similar.
Compared to the regular Eurasian wren, the Shetland wren is much darker. Its head and the back of its neck are almost black. The stripes on its upper body are also darker. Even the markings around its eyes are a deeper brown.
The throat and chest of the Shetland wren are a brownish-buff color, not white. The dark spots on its belly reach further up its sides and chest. Its beak is dark brown, and its strong legs are a medium brown.
The song of the Shetland wren is louder and more varied than that of the Eurasian wren. This might help its song be heard better over the sounds of the rocky beaches where it often lives and breeds.
Where Do Shetland Wrens Live?
This special wren lives only on the Shetland Islands. It likes to live near cliffs and rocky coastlines. You can also find it around old farm buildings called crofts and stone walls.
The main place where Shetland wrens build their nests is on boulder beaches. These are beaches covered in large rocks. If there are many wrens, some might nest further inland. They might choose to build nests in bushes or next to small streams.
How Many Shetland Wrens Are There?
At the start of the 2000s, experts estimated the population of Shetland wrens. They believed there were about 1,500 to 3,000 pairs of wrens breeding on the islands.
