Tag: Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

The wooded area near the volleyball field in my neighbourhood is a great location for bird photography. Patience is required.

While the northern flicker continued to sing loudly overhead, the Merlin app showed that there were two other birds nearby. Bird photography requires a lot of patience. Thryothorus ludovicianus is the scientific name for the Carolina Wren, a small bird species native to the southeastern United States. Carolina Wrens are quite vocal. They have a loud call for such a tiny bird. I heard the Carolina Wren calling from a branch.

A shallow slow-moving stream meanders through the vegetation. The stream has a substrate composed of various sizes of sedimentary rocks, which range from pebbles and gravel to larger sizes. The stream has small fish and insects that provide food for the birds.

Carolina Wrens are primarily insectivorous, meaning they mainly eat insects. Their diet includes beetles, caterpillars, spiders, ants, and other small invertebrates that they find in the leaf litter and among shrubs and trees. They forage for food and build their nests in the dense vegetation, including shrubs, bushes, and thickets.

Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) · 26 March 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

In the summertime, the eastern United States comes alive with the melodic calls of the Carolina Wren.

I stepped out into my backyard on an early summertime morning. I noticed movement in the overgrown fence that separated my property from the neighbouring woods. The area beyond the fence is an untamed wooded part of the property next door. This morning it harboured a surprise. A small bird with rich cinnamon-brown plumage and a white eye stripe caught my eye.

Using the Merlin ID app, I identified a Carolina Wren perched on a branch of one of the shrubs growing through the fence. Although this bird is elusive, its powerful teakettle-teakettle song echoes through the nearby woods and vegetated areas on the other side of the fence in my backyard.

As an avid nature enthusiast and photographer, I couldn't resist. Quietly, I reached for my camera, hoping to capture the moment. The wren seemed undisturbed by my presence (I was more than 15 metres away), continuing to sing its heart out as if it were performing just for me. It had found a home amidst the tangled vines, shrubs and wildflowers, turning the backyard into its personal stage for its morning symphony. The Carolina Wren sang with enthusiasm. Its voice seemed to fill the entire backyard.

The wren moved from one branch to another, occasionally tilting its head as if to listen for an echo of its own song. I snapped a few photographs, carefully adjusting my camera settings to capture the plumage. The camera clicked away freezing the moment. With bird photography, one must acknowledge the importance of perseverance in facing challenges and embracing the wild aspects of life.

The wren finished its song, gave me a final, inquisitive look, and flew off into the woods.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Monday 17 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 at 1⁄800 sec, · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR at 600 mm

Unlike other wren species, only the male Carolina Wren sings, creating a unique and vibrant melody.

Carolina Wrens also visit backyard feeders, especially in winter when suet is available. They seek shelter during cold winters in nest boxes filled with dried grasses. I plan to plant a nest box this fall to encourage these birds to return to my backyard. Interestingly, Carolina Wrens have been venturing farther north during the winter in recent years.

The birds are sensitive to cold weather, with northern populations declining after severe winters. However, their range has expanded northward due to gradually increasing winter temperatures over the past century.

To attract Carolina Wrens to my backyard, I hang suet-filled feeders throughout the year, including the winter. They may also take up residence in brush piles. There are none in my backyard, so I expect this specimen lives in the woods on the other side of the fence.

Winter Wren

Recently I have felt that all my work is effluent. Shit! Crap!

I snapped these pictures during a snowstorm in early February. The birds were flocking to the bird feeder in my backyard. I used a Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera and an EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM super zoom lens to take the shots. I took the photos from inside my house, through the kitchen window and the sliding door in the living room.

When I photographed this bird, I had no idea what it was. After a few hours of searching online and looking at many bird photographs, I identified this bird as the Carolina Wren.

The Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a medium-sized songbird in North America’s eastern and southeastern parts. It has a round body, long tail, reddish-brown upperparts, buff or orange underparts, white eyebrow stripe, and a bold white throat. Known for its lively behaviour and melodious calls, it inhabits dense vegetation in woodlands, forests, and suburban areas. It feeds on insects and constructs nests in tree cavities or manufactured structures. The Carolina Wren is adaptable and frequently visits backyard feeders, making it a beloved bird in its range.

The Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) can be found in various parts of New Jersey. It is primarily distributed in the southern and central regions of the state. The species thrive in habitats with dense vegetation, including forests, woodlands, swamps, and shrubby areas. It is less common in the northern parts of New Jersey. The Carolina Wren's adaptability allows it to inhabit suburban and urban areas with suitable vegetation throughout the state.