Opinion: a huge number of folklore traditions and rituals have grown up around the little wren, especially at this time of year Now that the festive season is here and we're busy shopping, decorating and celebrating, let's find out a little bit about the king of the birds, the wren, who is associated with Christmas and especially St Stephen's Day. The little bird who is perceived as wisdom and cunningness, sacred and an inconspicuous living her life at a pace, also known as herald of the rising sun. The popular wren rhyme goes: The wren, the wren, the King of all birds,