Carolina Wren

The Carolina Wren is a common species of wren, resident in the eastern half of the USA, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. A distinct population in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Belize and extreme north of Guatemala is treated either as a subspecies Thryothorus ludovicianus albinucha, or as a separate species, White-browed Wren Thryothorus albinucha. Following a 2006 review, these are the only wrens remaining in the genus Thryothorus. T. ludovicianus is the state bird of South Carolina; its specific name ludovicianus means from Louisiana.

The Carolina Wren is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a common species of wren, resident in the eastern half of the USA, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. A distinct population in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Belize and extreme north of Guatemala is treated either as a subspecies Thryothorus ludovicianus albinucha, or as a separate species, White-browed Wren Thryothorus albinucha. Following a 2006 review, these are the only wrens remaining in the genus Thryothorus. T. More

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* The Carolina Wren is sensitive to cold weather, with the northern populations decreasing markedly after severe winters. The gradually increasing winter temperatures over the last century may have been responsible for the northward range expansion seen in the mid-1900s. * Unlike other wren species in its genus, only the male Carolina Wren sings the loud song. More

A Carolina Wren on a wooden rail. Typically 14 cm long (6–7 in) and about 20 g in weight, it is a fairly large wren; among the United States species it is second largest after the Cactus Wren. The upperparts are rufous brown, and the underparts a strong orange-buff, usually unmarked but faintly barred on the flanks in the southwest of the range. The head has a striking pure white supercilium (eyebrow) and a whitish throat. More

Carolina Wren nest in a shoe. Photo by Bet Zimmerman. A Carolina Wren nest in a boot. Carolina Wren's often choose odd locations for their nests. They do not often chose to use nestboxes. More

Carolina WrenThe Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, is mostly brown with a light yellowish-beige belly. It has large white stripe over each eye like an over-extended eyebrow and has a white throat. Its wings and tail are barred with black and it has thin white bars on its wings. Its legs are pink. Carolina wrens have long tails which they hold upright frequently especially when perched. The adult wren’s average length is 5 to 6 inches and it stands at approximately 4 inches in height. More

Wren Carolina Wrens are southern birds that do not migrate. Yet, some younger birds travel northward for unknown reasons and set up residence. As long as winters are mild, these young birds will build resident populations. If winter becomes severe they will perish instead of moving south. This northward cycle is then repeated. Description - Carolina Wrens measure 5 1/2 to 6 inches in length with warm brown upperparts and buff-tinged underparts. More

Carolina Wrenedit this page = Birds Wiki, the online field guide that you can edit The Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a common species of wren, resident in the eastern half of the USA, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. More

official state bird at the time, the Carolina wren was generally considered a suitable representative of the State of South Carolina, at least until a proper official bird could be designated. The Carolina wren served as an unofficial state bird of South Carolina until 1939. Oftentimes, state legislatures were moved by organizations, such as the Women's Clubs, to adopt the birds they suggested as official state birds. More

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. More

The Carolina Wren measures 5 1/2" with a wingspan of 7 1/2". It's slightly arched bill is nearly as long as the oblong head. The color of the upper parts is brownish-red, a yellowish-white streak over the eye which extends down the neck and edged above with dark brown. Coverts and tail barred with blackish-brown and secondary and middle coverts tipped with white. Throat is greyish-white, underparts reddish-buff. Under tail coverts white and barred with a blackish-brown color. Legs are flesh color. More

The Carolina Wren is our most common wren. It grows more than 5 inches long and is brown, with a light yellowish-beige belly. It has a large white stripe over each eye, and a whitish throat. Like most wrens, it often holds its tail up when perched. Carolina Wrens live in thickets, forests, marshes, parks, streamsides, and gardens. They like brushy areas with lots of shrubs and vines. These birds live here year-round. More

Carolina Wren, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Birds of America, 1917 Louis Agassiz Fuertes Curious, nervous and almost too quick to notice, it investigates every nook and cranny in foliage, fallen timber and rock mounds in search of insects, seeds and berries. A variety of songs thought to have been imitations gave it the mocking wren nickname. One of the few birds that sings at night. Devoted to mates. More

In this manner the Carolina Wren moves from one fence-rail to another, from log to log, up and down among the low branches of bushes piles of wood, and decayed roots of prostrate trees, or between the stalks of canes. Its tail is almost constantly erect, and before it starts to make the least flight or leap, it uses a quick motion, which brings its body almost into contact with the object on which it stands, and then springs from its legs. More

● Similar species: Carolina Wren: Bewick's Wren has white underparts, long rounded tail tipped with white, and different song. Flight Pattern Weak and fluttering direct flight, often of short duration, on shallowly beating wings. Carolina Wren Body Illustration● Range & Habitat: Carolina Wren: Breeds from British Columbia, Montana, and western South Dakota southward. BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester Population MigrationNonmigratory Weight0. More

The Carolina Wren occurs in the eastern half of the USA and Mexico. It is one of nine species of wrens that occur in North America. Six subspecies of Carolina Wrens are recognized in the USA (Pyle 1997). Its loud call rings through the forest, sounding like it is saying "tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle." Males call all year round. Winter calls sound more like a series of churry buzzes. It is a year round resident, with mated pairs remaining together on permanent territories. More

May 3 - It appears as though the Carolina Wren has returned. We believe the wren formed the depression in the nest cup—indicative of pre-laying behavior. April 23 - We were surprised to see a fourth cavity-nesting species, an Eastern Tufted Titmouse, inspecting the box. April 8 - The nests of Carolina Wrens often have a domed top, making it difficult to see inside the nest from this angle. More

The Carolina Wren is noted for its loud song, popularly rendered as "teakettle-teakettle-teakettle". This song is rather atypical among wrens, which tend to sing songs which are similar to other wrens' songs. A given bird will typically sing several different songs. Only the male birds sing their loud song. The songs vary regionally, with birds in northern areas singing more slowly than those in southern areas. More

Picture of Thryothorus ludovicianus above has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike license.
Original source: Greg Miller
Author: Greg Miller
Permission: Some rights reserved
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Troglodytidae
Genus : Thryothorus
Species : ludovicianus
Authority : (Latham, 1790)