house wren

American  

noun

1. a common American wren, Troglodytes aedon, that nests around houses.

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Etymology

Origin of house wren

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

house wren

The following incident will furnish positive proof of the jay's cannibalistic proclivities: One spring my little boy brought home from the country a young house wren, thinking it would make a delightful pet.

From Our Bird Comrades by Leander S. (Leander Sylvester) Keyser

"It is nothing but the house wren," I muttered to myself, I know not how often.

From Our Bird Comrades by Leander S. (Leander Sylvester) Keyser

The house wren during the breeding-season repeats his song thousands of times a day, while the red-eyed vireo sings continuously from morning till night for several months.

From Under the Maples by John Burroughs

The more common species are the house wren, the marsh wren, the great Carolina wren, and the winter wren, the latter perhaps deriving its name from the fact that it breed in the North.

From Wake-Robin by John Burroughs

"Does the house wren always close its song with the rising inflection, as if it were asking a question?"

From Our Bird Comrades by Leander S. (Leander Sylvester) Keyser