Expert: Roger Lederer - 2/19/2011

Question
QUESTION: I'm in central Texas and see one or two of these often. I think it's probably a juvenile of a common wren or finch, just can't find a picture anywhere. It's very small, like a wren, with rust crown and chest. Body appears to be brown and wings may have some stripes, hard to tell. Thanks

ANSWER: Can you get me a photo? Even a bad one will help. Your description isn't enough as I need to know the bill shape, what it was doing, where exactly it was (on a bird feeder, for example), and what habitat it was in - sagebrush, your yard, or wherever. etc. It's not likely to be a juvenile this time of year but it is possible.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I've tried to get a photo but they won't wait for me to grab my camera. Will keep trying as I must know what it is - personality flaw. I always see them perched on my yard's back fence, usually with lots of house wrens, but sometimes alone. Last evening one decided to perch for a while at the top of my roll up porch sunscreen just a few feet away from me - not as timid as  others. I do throw seed every morning so I'm popular with lots of the ground feeders. Thought it was too late for a juvenile, too. Hope to be back to you soon.  Thanks

Answer
Try to describe it in as much detail as you can if you can't get a photo. The fact that it is perched on your back fence and hang around your house is a good hint.
I can also tell you that what you are calling House Wrens are not House Wrens because they are never seen in groups.