Carolina Wren

§ Quick facts

§ Encyclopedia

The Carolina wren is a species of wren common in the eastern United States, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, the northeast and southeast of Mexico, and into northern Central America. Severe winters restrict the northern limits of their range, while favorable weather conditions lead to a northward extension of their breeding range. Their preferred habitat is in dense cover in forest, farm edges, and suburban areas. This wren is the state bird of South Carolina.

Source: Wikipedia — Carolina wren · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium-small wren with warm rusty-brown back, buff underparts, bold white eyebrow stripe, and long down-curving bill.

Similar species. Bewick's Wren (longer tail, white-tipped, gray belly). House Wren (smaller, no white eyebrow). Winter Wren (much smaller).

Voice. Famous loud "tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle" song; harsh chattering scolds.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects (especially caterpillars, beetles, true bugs), spiders, small fruits, seeds (rare).

Behavior. Year-round resident of eastern North America. Among the loudest songbirds for their size — males sing 30+ song types and over 3,000 songs per day. Range has expanded northward over the past century in step with milder winters. Pairs maintain permanent territories together.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Brushy areas, suburban yards

§ Threats

Habitat loss, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the carolina wren is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Maintain brushy native plantings.

§ Further reading

• Wikipedia — Carolina wren
• www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Thryothorus ludovicianus
• IUCN Red List · taxon 22711359
• iNaturalist · taxon 8222
• eBird · carwre
• GBIF occurrence records
• Encyclopedia of Life — Thryothorus ludovicianus

§ Sources cited

• Cornell Lab — All About Birds
• National Audubon Society
• Project FeederWatch
• IUCN Red List 2018