The Carolina Wren
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A Beautiful Southern Bird
Carolina Wrens are a southern bird and once they've established their territory, they usually remain there throughout their life. The male can be heard whistling any time of the day and any time of the year.
The Carolina Wren
Description
The Carolina Wren is a small bird but fairly large for a wren. It measures five to six inches in length. Its head and back are a dark rusty-brown and its chest and belly are buff colored. Its white eyebrows and throat are distinctive.
The Carolina Wren's sensitive to the cold. As they do not migrate, their range is limited to warmer climes. However, the average winter temperatures have risen slightly in the last hundred years. As a consequence, the Carolina Wren's territory has expanded northward since the mid 1900's.
Range and Habitat
As the Carolina Wren is a non-migratory bird, they are usually found in the milder climates of the southeastern part of the United States. They prefer bushy areas and moist woodlands and swamps, but are also found in suburbs and gardens if brush piles are available.
Carolina Wrens are usually found in pairs and stay in their home territory throughout the year.
Nesting Habits
The Carolina Wren prefers to nest sites with dense undergrowth such as mixed forests or tree filled suburbs. They will build their nest in a natural or artificial cavity. The nest is a bulky structure with a domed roof and a small hole close to the top. The Carolina Wren will use whatever hole is available to house its nest--holes in walls of houses and barns, under porches, holes in fence posts, or in trees. If a nest box is available, they will use it.
The clutch consists of 4 to 6 grayish-white eggs and are laid over a period of several days. The female incubates the eggs for 12 to 14 days and the hatchlings fledge 12 to 14 days after that. If the conditions are right, the pair will use the same nest to produce a second brood.
Home Sweet Home
Eating Habits
Carolina Wrens feed predominantly on insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and flies. Small invertebrates such as tree frogs are on their regular menu as well. They will occasionally visit a backyard birdfeeder preferring suet to seeds.
Pretty Suet Feeder
Cherry Valley Feeder Deluxe Metal Suet Cage
Amazon Price: $7.70 (as of 05/30/2012)
Awesome Birdfeeders from Amazon
The population of the Carolina Wren varies drastically depending on the severity of the winter season.
Voice
The male Carolina Wren is the vocal one in the pair. His loud whistle tweedle-tweedle-tweedle or tea-kettle-tea-kettle-tea-kettle can be heard any time of the day, and in any season of the year.
Common Birds and Their Songs
by Lang Elliott
Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD)
This book-audio package provides a unique introduction to fifty of the most familiar birds of North America and the songs they sing. Common Birds and Their Songs will be valuable to anyone interested in birds, from beginner to expert. It's the perfect gift for any birder - or anyone with a bird feeder.
Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
Peterson's Field Guide to Birds
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guides)
Amazon Price: $10.55 (as of 05/30/2012)
Peterson's Field Guide to Birds is an absolute must have for anyone with a birdfeeder and an interest in watching the birds.
Some of my Favorite Backyard Birds
The Bold and BeautifulThe American Goldfinch
The Blue Jay
The Northern Cardinal
Cheerful Singers
The European Starling
The Northern Mockingbird
The American Robin
The Shy Ones
The Eastern Bluebird
The Carolina Wren
Attracting Birds to Southern Gardens
Attracting Birds to Southern Gardens
Amazon Price: $55.32 (as of 05/30/2012)
This is an excellent book for Southern Bird Lovers. It is packed with valuable information and wonderful photographs. The descriptions of the plants and trees are detailed and list the birds they are likely to attract. It's a must have for any Southern Gardener.
What interesting backyard birds have you seen lately?
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GrandMemories
Jun 23, 2011 @ 8:16 am | delete
- The Wrens in my yard nest in old logs. I live on 2 acres of forest in a sparsely populated area and get many birds. I have a lens with pics of my birds if you want to look. The Carolina Wrens will come to my bird feeders, mostly liking the suet and the seed block. They are seen more in the Winter than Summer here (North Carolina). Thanks for this lens!
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Tipi
Aug 13, 2010 @ 4:16 pm | delete
- The Carolina Wrens are somewhat different from the Wrens I'm used to seeing. I feed a whole bunch of them everyday, and they sure do eat a lot. They do get pretty friendly too.
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TylaMac
Oct 1, 2009 @ 3:48 am | delete
- I just love my Carolina Wrens! They know every nook and cranny in my yard. I always make sure they have plenty of suet to eat because they are so much fun to watch. They build their nests in the most interesting places,too. I really enjoy your bird lenses.
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JaguarJulie Apr 28, 2009 @ 8:53 am | delete
- Hubby thought we saw a Carolina Chickadee on our bird feeder -- have you done that bird yet? I got a picture of it -- but now he says it might be a titmouse.
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AndyPo
Jan 18, 2009 @ 5:11 am | delete
- Very cute
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About the Author
Bird Watcher's Digest
Bird Watchers Digest
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 05/30/2012)
Keep current with what's happening in the birding world. Birder Watcher's Digest offers great articles and pictures, as well as information on conservation efforts and research. I receive several birding magazines each month but its Bird Watcher's that has me dropping everything to sit down and read.
6 issues/12 months
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology
Chipper Woods Observatory
Seattle Audubon Society
Fact Sheet: Carolina Wren, National Geographic
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