Carolina Wren (Thyrothorus ludovicianus)

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A Field Guide to Eastern Birds. by Roger Tory Peterson.

Wrens of Eastern North America

Carolina Wren (Thyrothorus ludovicianus)

Identification: Length from tip of bill to tip of tail 4.75 inches. The head has a prominent white band (supercilium) over the eye. The crown of the head, back, wings, and tail are rich brown. The tail and wings have black bars and the wings have thin, white wing bars. The throat is white and the rest of the undersides are tan. The rump is white with black stripes. The bill is long and down-turned. The tail is commonly held perpendicular to the body as in most wrens.

Similar Species: Among the wren species within the range of the Carolina Wren, the House Wren is the most common. The House Wren lacks a white supercilium, its color is a darker, duller brown, and the species is smaller (length 4.25 inches). Two other wren species have a white supercilium. Bewick's Wren has a white or gray throat and underside in contrast to the white throat and tan sides, breast, and belly of the Carolina Wren. In addition Bewick's Wren has the outer tail feathers white with black bars. The outer tail feathers of the Carolina Wren are brown and concolorous with the rest of the tail. The Marsh Wren is much smaller (length 4 inches) than the Carolina Wren. The back of the Marsh Wren has black and white stripes absent in the Carolina Wren.

Breeding Range (see map below): The Carolina Wren is a non-migrant living primarily in the southern and mid-Atlantic state. In the east the species occurs from southern Florida to southern New England. The species extends westward to the Great Plains states and Texas.

Overwintering Range: See above.

Habitat: The Carolina Wren lives in thick woodlands, ravines, and rocky slopes covered with brush. The species is also found in wooded suburban areas and barnyards.

Food: Insects.

Behavior: The Carolina Wren, like most wrens is energetic and loud. The song consists of consecutive, very loud triplets of "tweedle-tweedle-tweedle" repeated 4 to 6 times.

Reproduction: The nest is placed in a variety of cavities including birdhouses, tree holes or stumps, as well as a variety of man-made holes. The nest is dome-shaped with a side entrance constructed to twigs and lined with feathers and fur. The clutch consists of 4 to 8 white eggs spotted with brown. Incubation takes between 12 to 14 days and the young are fledged in 12 to 14 days.