Arkansas' Wrens need your help!

Citizen-conducted survey expected to shed light on decline of Bewick's Wren

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WELCOME to the Arkansas Wren Survey, a citizen science program developed by Audubon Arkansas and Arkansas State University, with funding provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. We are calling on all of you – bird watchers, nature enthusiasts, land managers, landowners, students, everyone – to help us learn more about the status of Arkansas’ wrens. Wrens are small, active, vocal, songbirds that are familiar to many who feed, house, and watch birds. Seven species occur in the state. One in particular, Bewick’s Wren, needs your help!

A Bird in Decline

The Bewick’s Wren (pronounced Buick, like the car) is a species of high conservation concern in Arkansas and throughout much of its range. It was once common in Arkansas and found throughout the eastern U.S. Today it is extremely rare east of the Mississippi River. The eastern edge of its range runs through Arkansas. It is possible almost anywhere in the state, but is presumably rare everywhere. We’re not entirely sure of the primary reason for this decline, but it may be due to habitat loss or competition with the House Wren for a place to live and nest. Bewick’s Wrens also may compete with the Carolina Wren, a species that resembles the Bewick’s Wren.

Be a Citizen Scientist

Audubon Arkansas and Arkansas State University researchers are searching for Bewick’s Wrens, but we can’t cover the state as thoroughly as needed without YOUR HELP! Please help us learn more about the distribution, abundance, and habitat needs of Bewick’s Wren in Arkansas by joining our survey team. Its easy, its fun, its educational, and it may contribute to the conservation of this interesting songbird.

Click on the links below to learn more about wrens, sign up as a survey participant, read survey instructions, enter data from the field, see the project’s results, and more.

Wrens – Profiles of three wren species

How to Participate – Sign up to be a citizen scientist

How to Survey – Instructions for selecting study sites, surveying wrens, and measuring habitat features, plus download the field data form

Survey Results – What we do with the data

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Wren Resources – Learn more about birds and birding

Contact Us