Carolina Wren Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  The Carolina Wren is a small but chunky bird with a round body and a long tail that it often cocks upward. The head is large with very little neck, and the distinctive bill marks it as a wren: long, slender, and downcurved.

  Relative Size

  slightly smaller than sparrows; slightly larger than a House Wren

  sparrow-sized or smaller

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
    • Weight: 0.6-0.8 oz (18-22 g)
    • Wingspan: 11.4 in (29 cm)

  © Dave Czaplak / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Both males and females are a bright, unpatterned reddish-brown above and warm buffy-orange below, with a long white eyebrow stripe, dark bill, and white chin and throat.

• Behavior

  The Carolina Wren creeps around vegetated areas and scoots up and down tree trunks in search of insects and fruit. It explores yards, garages, and woodpiles, sometimes nesting there. This wren often cocks its tail upward while foraging and holds it down when singing. Carolina Wrens defend their territories with constant singing; they aggressively scold and chase off intruders.
• Habitat

  Look—or listen—for Carolina Wrens singing or calling from dense vegetation in wooded areas, especially in forest ravines and neighborhoods. These birds love to move low through tangled understory; they frequent backyard brush piles and areas choked with vines and bushes.

Regional Differences

The Florida population of Carolina Wrens is larger and stouter, a darker rusty chestnut above and more deeply colored below.

Regional Photos

© Chris Thomas / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, February 11, 2017

© David Hall / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, July 01, 2017

© Rolando Chávez / Macaulay LibraryCampeche, August 16, 2015