Eurasian Wren

With a size of 9- 11cm, the wren is the third smallest European bird, and, I think, a master of camouflage... He's also incredibly quick and permanently on the move.

In mythology the wren is reported to be terribly clever and outsmarts the eagle easily. In Aesop's 238th fable, all birds have to meet a challenge on who's the fastests. The wren hides himself on the shoulders of the eagle, and is carried along by the bigger and much faster bird. Then all of a sudden he flys off and beats the eagle to the finish line. In a Scottish fairy tale, the wren becomes king of birds by flying higher than the eagle. Poor eagle. I simply love this piece of folklore, which comes also from Scotland:

THE WREN'S PRESUMPTION.
THOU'RT lessened by that, said the Wren, when he dipped his beak in the sea.

Sorry for the straw in front of the bird, but it was the best pic I could get. I really wanted to share this encounter, because wrens are rather difficult to spot. Have a good time!

More tiny Bremen wildlife:
Wood Mouse April 2010