Scientific name: Troglodytes troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Dippers and Wrens
Field characters. 9 cm. A small, stocky and inconspicuous bird, best recognised by its song and cocked-up short tail. Very lively and active. Tends to remain close to the ground, although it is a good flier; flight whirring. Song is delivered with such a force that it seems unlikely to be produced by such a tiny bird. Appears uniform brown from a distance; at closer range, finely barred all over, with russet- brown upperparts, buff-brown underparts, cream supercilium and throat, and some white spots on primaries.
Voice. Song consists of a series of loud but melodious warbles and trills and is delivered all year round, but most frequently in spring; also utters a loud, sharp "trrrrrrrrr".
Distribution. Very common resident in temperate parts of its range; less numerous in north-east, migrating southwards.
Habitat. Varied, but always requires plenty of low dense cover, such as thick undergrowth or hedgerows.
Food. Predominantly insects; also spiders and plant seeds and fruits.