Overview
The Rock Wren is a small but delightful little bird that inhabits rockier terrain, living up to its name. It can be frequently seen hopping around rocky areas of a landscape, scouring the crevices for insects. Highly adaptable, the small brown bird can thrive in arid landscapes, getting all the water it needs from food. When nesting, they’ll settle into the cavities of rocks and boulders.
Migration
Much of the Rock Wren’s winter terrain is also where many live year-round. This stretches from the Pacific Northwest, down into the southwest, and throughout the interior of Mexico. In summer, many will head farther north, up throughout the Rocky Mountains and western Great Plains, as well as southwestern Canada.
Where to Find Them in Jackson Hole
Rock Wrens are scattered throughout the valley in rocky terrain. One of the easiest places to spot them is on the northeast end of Miller Butte on the National Elk Refuge. They can occasionally be seen hopping around the rocks there, or at least making their unmistakable calls. They’ll also occupy rocks along any trails in the area. This can include the sides of small hills and buttes, to higher elevations in the Tetons.