When do wrens leave New Mexico?

Most Northern House Wrens have left New Mexico by the second week of October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early December.

When is the best time to see wrens in New Mexico?

The Northern House Wren is reported most often in the second week of September, on about 12% of New Mexico checklists.

Which wrens are in New Mexico?

Northern House Wren and Marsh Wren are reported regularly; the Northern House Wren is the most common.

2 wren species in New Mexico

When Do Wrens Arrive in New Mexico?

Northern House Wrens and Marsh Wrens are the wrens you are most likely to see in New Mexico. Northern House Wrens reach New Mexico in the second week of April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of September (12% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of October.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 8-14the second week of April

Common byApr 22-30late April

PeakSep 8-14the second week of September

Most gone byOct 8-14the second week of October

Best: the second week of September. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by the second week of October. Peak: on about 12% of New Mexico checklists.

Janrare
Febnot usually seen
Marrare
Aprcommon
Maycommon
Juncommon
Julcommon
Augcommon
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novrare
Decrare

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

Wrens in New Mexico, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Northern House Wren	Apr 8-14	Apr 22-30	Sep 8-14	Oct 8-14	12%
Marsh Wren	Sep 15-21	Sep 22-30	Nov 8-14	Apr 15-21	4.6%

Northern House Wren
Marsh 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico

Best counties for Northern House Wren

Share of checklists at the peak

Roosevelt CountyBest the second week of May · 315 checklists that week, 4,563 in all43%
Colfax CountyBest the second week of July · 256 checklists that week, 8,053 in all31%
Guadalupe CountyBest early September · 87 checklists that week, 2,614 in all24%
Lea CountyBest the second week of September · 79 checklists that week, 2,698 in all24%
Harding CountyBest early October · 27 checklists that week, 932 in all21%
San Miguel CountyBest early September · 184 checklists that week, 8,857 in all20%

All wrens in New Mexico

6 species are reported regularly: 2 stay all year, 3 are summer visitors, and 1 are winter visitors.

#	Species	Pattern	First arrivals	Peak	Peak %
1	Bewick's Wren	Year-round	all year	Apr 8-14	16%
2	Northern House Wren	Summer visitor	Apr 8-14	Sep 8-14	12%
3	Rock Wren	Summer visitor	Feb 22-28	Jun 22-30	5.8%
4	Marsh Wren	Winter visitor	Sep 15-21	Nov 8-14	4.6%
5	Canyon Wren	Summer visitor	Feb 22-28	Jul 22-31	4.1%
6	Cactus Wren	Year-round	all year	Apr 8-14	3.9%

Common questions

When do wrens arrive in New Mexico?: Northern House Wrens reach New Mexico in the second week of April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of September (12% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of October.
When do wrens leave New Mexico?: Most Northern House Wrens have left New Mexico by the second week of October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early December.
When is the best time to see wrens in New Mexico?: The Northern House Wren is reported most often in the second week of September, on about 12% of New Mexico checklists.
Which wrens are in New Mexico?: Northern House Wren and Marsh Wren are reported regularly; the Northern House Wren is the most common.