Carolina Wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus
Wren family (Troglodytidae)

Habitat: 
Understory of deciduous forests.

Description:
Larger than the House Wren, 5” long.  Brown back, rusty brown below, cinnamon breast and belly, white throat, prominent white eyebrow.  Short tail is usually cocked upwards.

Nesting:
Nests in natural tree cavities, woodpecker holes, building crevices, or artificial nest boxes.  Eggs are creamy or pinkish-white with brown marks.  Clutch size – 4 to 5 eggs.

Voice:
Song is a loud repeated 3-syllable series of clear notes, “tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle.”  Sometimes sings a 2-syllable series of notes, “kettle, kettle, kettle.”  Song resembles 3-syllable notes of the Common Yellowthroat, but notes of the Carolina Wren are louder and richer.  Call is a raspy buzz, like running fingers across a comb.

Name Origin:
Thryothorus:  thryon, Greek for “a reed”, thouros, Greek for “rushing”;
ludovicianus, Modern Latin for “of Louisiana”, the site where the original specimen was collected.

In the Nature Park:
Year-round resident.  Occasionally uses artificial nest boxes, but less often than the House Wren.