Wren Species Profiles

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WRENS are little brown birds with big voices, that is they are small in size (less than 9 inches) but sing loudly and frequently. They have thin, down-curved bills, rounded wings, and a short tail that is often held upright. The wings and tail are barred or spotted. They use their thin bills to glean insects from nooks and crannies. Wrens live in a variety of habitats including wet grasslands, shrublands, forest understories, bottomland hardwoods, and rural and urban yards. Arkansas has seven species of wren. This survey is focused on three species often living in upland habitats – Bewick’s, Carolina, and House Wrens.

We are most interested in the Bewick’s Wren. Beware that Carolina Wrens are very similar in appearance. Keep reading to learn how to tell them apart. Also check out this brief article.

BEWICK’S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii)

Description – 5.25 inches; slender; long white or buffy eyebrow; long, barred tail held up and often flicked sideways; corners of tail are white; pale gray below; either reddish brown (Eastern U.S.) or grayish (Western U.S.) on the back – the color distinction is important for this study. Distinguished from the Carolina Wren by its gray color below and white tail corners.

Voice – Song begins with clear, high notes and ends in a trill, similar to a Song Sparrow’s song. Call notes are short, harsh, and include a drawn-out shreee or jeet, a dry chur and a sharp spik. Males are known to respond strongly to the sounds of intruders, including House Wrens. Listen to vocalizations.

Habitat – Brushy or weedy areas, thickets and scrub in open country, openings and edges of woodlands, overgrown fields, brushpiles, unkempt fencerows, farmyards, and lightly developed parts of towns. Also observed in burned post oak savannas, burned grassy glades, and slash piles within clearcuts.

Distribution – Rare permanent resident, possible anywhere in the state, but more likely in certain regions at certain times of year. Records indicate that winter is the best time of year to find the species if you live in the southern tier of the state, and the breeding season is the best time of year to encounter it in the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley, but it is possible to find this bird all year long in the Northwest, and almost anywhere in the state during spring and fall migration. You will have the greatest chance of success if you conduct your search in a given area at the appropriate time of year, but we encourage you to survey at other times to help us form a complete picture of its seasonal distribution and abundance.

Nesting – Breeds late March to August. Nests in tree cavities, brushpiles, nest boxes, as well as shelves and crevices in caves, sheds, garages, and barns. Also uses posts and poles, abandoned cars and farm equipment, and junk piles.

CAROLINA WREN (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

Description – 5.5 inches; stocky; bright-reddish brown above; buff-colored below; long white eyebrow. Distinguished from the Bewick’s Wren by its buffy color below and lack of white tail corners.

Voice – Song is a loud, clear, and rolling teakettle teakettle teakettle or cheeseburger cheeseburger cheeseburger. Variable. Calls are richer than other wrens and include a descending trill, a down-slurred zhwee zhwee zhwee, and a raspy churr given in alarm. Listen to vocalizations.

Habitat – Moist forest understory, thickets, city parks, residential areas with trees and shrubs.

Distribution – Common permanent resident throughout the state.

Nesting – Breeds April to September. Nests in tree cavities, tangles of vegetation, and nest boxes. It is well known for using any receptacle such as cans, clothes on a line, hanging bike helmets, barbecue grills, and flowerpots.

HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)

Description – 4.75 inches; small; gray-brown above; plain and paler below; conspicuous black barring on wings and tail; eyebrow not conspicuous. Distinguished from Bewick’s and Carolina Wrens by its smaller size and lack of broad white eyebrow.

Voice – Song is a bubbly burst of staccato sounds, starting with a rapid series of low rattles and trills, rising in pitch, then dropping off at the end. Females may sing. Calls are low, soft, and short, and include a chit given singly or in a series, a nasal merrr like a catbird’s mew, and various harsh rattles and churs. Listen to vocalizations.

Habitat – Open forest, forest edges with shrubs, city parks, residential areas with trees and shrubs.

Distribution – Uncommon summer visitor, especially in the north and northwest. Uncommon winter visitor, especially in the south. Fairly common migrant throughout the state.

Nesting – Breeds May to August. Nests in tree cavities, nest boxes, and a variety of other cavities and crevices like old boots or a shelf in a garage. May destroy Bewick’s Wren nests and eggs.

For additional tips on identifying wrens consult a recent field guide
and browse Cornell’s online Bird Guide.