Wren Friends

What’s that small brown bird with the cocky attitude and the huge voice? It’s a Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus. The largest of our Eastern wrens, the Carolina Wren is our only wren for all seasons. (Winter Wrens come down from the north in winter, House Wrens come up from the south in summer.) A Carolina Wren’s decurved bill and white eyebrow stripe make it easy to identify; the long cocked tail seems to show off the cinnamon plumage the birds wear year round.

Carolina Wrens get my vote for most decibels of voice per gram of bird, and they sing any time of year. Only the males sing, with the rhythm of their most quoted melody being a loud, piercing tea kettle, tea kettle, tea kettle . Males and females may keep in touch with a chattery trill.

Since Carolina Wrens are with us all year, and mate for life, they constantly claim and defend their territories. Males countersing in challenge duets, blasting out songs from neighboring patches. One will sing a phrase and then pause while the other sings a phrase. In their trumpet clear voices the musicians are politely alternating a demand: “Stay out of my territory!” Wrens are also world class scolders, fussing loudly at any threat to their nest sites.

Insects and spiders make up the bulk of a Carolina Wren’s diet. As they flip through leaf litter, they’ll pick up the occasional snail or millipede, but their standard fare features most of our garden pests. Wrens are intrepid investigators. Because of their high metabolism rate, and possibly their own natural curiosity, wrens are always on the hunt: running, hopping, poking and probing into everything, and trilling as they go.

Inviting and Feeding Wrens in the Fall and Winter

Snowman Joe is an object of deep interest to the wrens that winter in our yard

How do such small birds make it through the northern winter? Like other birds, wrens fluff out their feathers to trap the warm air near their bodies. They seek shelter in evergreens or tree hollows, in narrow windless stream valleys, and sometimes in barns or sheds. Even with these strategies, though, Carolina Wrens are not very hardy. They find most of their food near the ground, so heavy snow and icy temperatures can be devastating. This species is one that is really helped by our suet feeders.

Besides stocking well filled feeders, you can lure wrens and their insect eating ways to your yard by finding a spot for a brush pile. While doing yard cleanup this fall, leave as much leaf litter as you can. In addition, if you make a loose pile of sticks and branches with some access gaps, it will help wrens and other small birds find shelter from wind, weather, and hunting hawks.

Long may Carolina Wrens eat our bugs and fill our gardens with cheerful exuberant song!

By Cecily Nabors