WhenToBird

3 wren species in Minnesota

When Do Wrens Arrive in Minnesota?

Northern House Wrens, Marsh Wrens, and Winter Wrens are the wrens you are most likely to see in Minnesota. Northern House Wrens reach Minnesota in late April, are common by early May, peak in early July (32% of checklists), and most are gone by early September.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April
Common byMay 1-7early May
PeakJul 1-7early July
Most gone bySep 1-7early September

Best: early July. First arrivals late April; most are gone by early September. Peak: on about 32% of Minnesota checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Wrens in Minnesota, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Northern House WrenApr 22-30May 1-7Jul 1-7Sep 1-732%
Marsh WrenApr 22-30May 1-7Jul 8-14Sep 22-307.5%
Winter WrenSep 15-21Sep 15-21Oct 8-14Nov 1-73.3%
0%10%20%30%40%Northern House WrenMarsh WrenWinter WrenJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Northern House Wren
  • Marsh Wren
  • Winter Wren
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Minnesota that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Minnesota

Best counties for Northern House Wren

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Le Sueur CountyBest mid June · 104 checklists that week, 5,034 in all73%
  2. Steele CountyBest the second week of June · 106 checklists that week, 4,784 in all70%
  3. Cottonwood CountyBest the second week of July · 91 checklists that week, 4,171 in all65%
  4. Mower CountyBest the second week of June · 76 checklists that week, 2,590 in all64%
  5. Rice CountyBest mid June · 246 checklists that week, 15,646 in all63%
  6. Dodge CountyBest mid July · 22 checklists that week, 1,179 in all63%

All wrens in Minnesota

4 species are reported regularly: 3 are summer visitors and 1 are winter visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Northern House WrenSummer visitorApr 22-30Jul 1-732%
2Sedge WrenSummer visitorMay 1-7Jul 8-148.5%
3Marsh WrenSummer visitorApr 22-30Jul 8-147.5%
4Winter WrenWinter visitorSep 15-21Oct 8-143.3%

Common questions

When do wrens arrive in Minnesota?
Northern House Wrens reach Minnesota in late April, are common by early May, peak in early July (32% of checklists), and most are gone by early September.
When do wrens leave Minnesota?
Most Northern House Wrens have left Minnesota by early September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early October.
When is the best time to see wrens in Minnesota?
The Northern House Wren is reported most often in early July, on about 32% of Minnesota checklists.
Which wrens are in Minnesota?
Northern House Wren, Marsh Wren, and Winter Wren are reported regularly; the Northern House Wren is the most common.