In the expanse of North America, a collection of 11 wren species can be observed, with the state of Maryland playing host to seven of them. Among the wrens residing in Maryland, five are classified as regular inhabitants, while two are accidental visitors. This handbook aims to assist you in identifying these wrens by their appearance and vocalizations.
Throughout the year in Maryland, one can find Carolina Wrens. House Wrens and Marsh Wrens grace the state during the summer months, while Winter Wrens take center stage in winter. Sedge Wrens make an appearance during migration, and one should keep an eye out for Rock Wrens and Bewick’s Wrens in Maryland as well. These wrens, though unassuming in appearance, possess charismatic personalities. They exhibit a modest brown plumage, relatively small stature, and pleasantly plump bodies, accompanied by distinctive upright tails and resonant voices.
Wrens, belonging to the Troglodyidae family, are New World avian creatures primarily inhabiting North and South America. However, the Eurasian Wren stands apart as an Old World dweller, occupying Europe and Africa. The wren’s diet predominantly comprises insects and spiders, enabling it to adapt to a wide range of environments, including arid and rocky regions with limited vegetation.
Initially, the Winter Wren was regarded as the same species as the Pacific Wren and Eurasian Wren. However, recent research has established them as distinct species. Throughout history, wrens have been intertwined with folklore and symbolic meanings. In Europe, it was once believed that harming wrens would attract misfortune.
This guide, referencing avibase, presents a comprehensive aid for identifying the wren species found in Maryland. The wrens are arranged in order of frequency, based on birdwatchers’ checklists submitted to ebird for the state.
For a comprehensive resource on bird identification, consider utilizing a free bird identification photo guide specific to Maryland. This guide will greatly facilitate the identification of numerous bird species that frequent your backyard.
Maryland’s Wren Species (7):
1. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are the most frequently encountered wrens in Maryland and are non-migratory. They appear in a significant 47% of summer checklists and 42% of winter checklists submitted by birdwatchers in the state.
Carolina Wrens exhibit a reserved demeanor, boasting a dark brown upper body and a lighter brown underbelly. They possess a distinctive white eyebrow stripe and an upright tail.
Scientific name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Length: 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.6-0.8 ounces (18-22 g)
Wingspan: 11.4 inches (29 cm)
Carolina Wrens are year-round residents across Eastern and Southeastern states.
Carolina Wrens can be found in woodlands and areas with dense vegetation. They often visit backyard feeders and sustain themselves on insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, and snakes.
When it comes to vocalization, Carolina Wrens emit short bursts of quick whistles.
2. House Wren
House Wrens feature in 21% of summer checklists in Maryland and are most abundant from mid-April to November. While many migrate south for the winter, a few remain in Maryland year-round.
House Wrens are modestly sized, unremarkable brown birds with darker wings and tails adorned with bars. Their throats possess a lighter hue. Males and females exhibit similar appearances.
Distinctive trait: The eyestripe is less pronounced in House Wrens compared to other wren species.
Scientific name: Troglodytes aedon
Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (10-12 g)
Wingspan: 5.9 inches (15 cm)
House Wrens breed during the summer in the United States and southern Canada before embarking on a migration journey to the South and Mexico for the winter.
Search for House Wrens in backyards, parks, and open woodlands as they forage for insects and spiders. They display energetic movements, hopping through tangles and low branches with their tails raised, occasionally halting to serenade with their cheerful songs.
The House Wren’s diet consists of beetles, caterpillars, flies, and even snail shells for calcium.
House Wrens emit a melodic, yet not particularly tuneful, series of jumbled notes that vary in pitch and speed.
3. Winter Wren
Winter Wrens grace Maryland during the winter months, accounting for 5% of winter checklists. Although a few may be present year-round, the optimal period for spotting them spans from October to April.
Winter Wrens are plump, small brown birds with dark barring on their wings, tails, and bellies. They feature a paler eyebrow stripe and possess short, upright tails. Males and females share identical appearances.
Winter Wrens closely resemble Pacific Wrens, previously considered the same species. However, they are now classified as distinct species, distinguished by their unique songs.
Scientific name: Troglodytes hiemalis
Length: 3.1-4.7 inches (8-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (8-12 g)
Wingspan: 4.7-6.3 inches (12-16 cm)
Winter Wrens spend their winters in the eastern United States, migrating to the northeastern states and Canada for the summer.
Keep an eye out for Winter Wrens concealed amidst dense undergrowth in forests and backyard areas. Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, which they scrounge for among fallen leaves and decaying bark.
The Winter Wren’s vocalization takes the form of a prolonged, bubbly, and melodious song that lasts up to 10 seconds.
4. Marsh Wren
Marsh Wrens are primarily observed in Maryland during the breeding season, appearing on 1% of summer checklists. They are most commonly sighted between April and October, but some individuals may remain year-round.
Marsh Wrens exhibit brown plumage adorned with black and white streaks on their back. Their underbellies possess a grayish-brown hue, and they sport the signature upright tail associated with wrens.
Unlike Sedge Wrens, Marsh Wrens lack shoulder stripes and possess longer bills. Males and females exhibit similar appearances.
Scientific name: Cistothorus palustris
Length: 3.9-5.5 inches (10-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.5 ounces (9-14 g)
Wingspan: 5.9 inches (15 cm)
Marsh Wrens breed in the northern states of the United States and central Canada before migrating to southern states and Mexico. They can be observed during migration in the Eastern US.
Marsh Wrens are commonly found in wetland habitats, where they cling to reeds, employing their feet to grasp different stalks. Although they may be challenging to spot, listen carefully for their songs amidst the reeds, particularly during dawn and dusk.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, which they pick off leaves in close proximity to the water.
Marsh Wrens produce a distinctive buzzy song that can endure for up to 20 minutes.
5. Sedge Wren
Sedge Wrens are infrequently encountered in Maryland but are recognized as regularly occurring species. The most recent sighting within the state was reported at Poplar Island in 2022.
Sedge Wrens are small, brown wrens distinguished by their darker upper plumage adorned with streaks and bars. Their underparts possess a paler tone, and they exhibit a light eyebrow stripe. Males and females bear a striking resemblance.
Sedge Wrens bear similarities to Marsh Wrens and are commonly found in comparable wet habitats. However, Marsh Wrens lack striped shoulders and possess lighter underbellies.
Scientific name: Cistothorus stellaris
Length: 3.9-4.7 inches (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.3 ounces (7-10 g)
Wingspan: 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)
Sedge Wrens breed in southern Canada, the Midwest, and occasionally further east in the United States. They embark on migratory journeys, wintering in southeastern states and northern Mexico, primarily along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
To locate Sedge Wrens, explore wet grasslands, marshy regions, and meadows teeming with vegetation. They tend to prefer shallower areas compared to Marsh Wrens and hunt for insects and spiders.
Sedge Wrens emit a simple song composed of a few short notes followed by a rapid series of similar-pitched notes.
6. Rock Wren
Rock Wrens are considered accidental species in Maryland, with the most recent recorded sighting near Bushwood in 2019.
Rock Wrens boast pale brown backs speckled with darker markings. Their wings and tails display barring, while their underparts possess a pale hue, with buff coloring on the lower flanks and belly.
Distinctive features include a light eyebrow stripe, a long slightly curved bill, and dark legs. Both males and females share the same coloration. Rock Wrens engage in bobbing movements, particularly when agitated, aiding in their identification.
Scientific name: Salpinctes obsoletus
Length: 4.9-5.9 inches (12.5-15 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.6 ounces (15-18 g)
Wingspan: 8.7-9.4 inches (22-24 cm)
Rock Wrens inhabit arid, rocky areas in western US states and southwestern Canada. While individuals in the southern and western regions remain year-round, those in central US states migrate south for the winter.
To locate Rock Wrens, explore dry, rocky regions with minimal vegetation. They feed on insects found in crevices within the rocks.
Rock Wrens display a repertoire of over 100 songs, often repeating the same sound multiple times before transitioning to a different sound. Each rendition exhibits varying pitches.
7. Bewick’s Wren
Bewick’s Wrens are rarely sighted and are classified as accidental species in Maryland. In fact, the most recent documented sighting in the state dates back to 1993.
Bewick’s Wrens possess brown upper bodies accompanied by long, gray, upright tails adorned with darker barring. Their bellies display a gray hue, and a white stripe stretches over their eyes.
Scientific name: Thryomanes bewickii
Length: 5.1 inches (13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (8-12 g)
Bewick’s Wrens are year-round residents of southern and western states, with minor movements during winter.
Bewick’s Wrens can be found in scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands, where they flit from branch to branch, their long tails flickering.
Their diet consists of insects and larvae, including bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles.
Bewick’s Wrens emit a song that commences with a couple of short, higher-pitched notes, followed by lower-pitched buzzy notes.
Nests of Bewick’s Wrens are typically constructed in rock ledges, old woodpecker nests, nest boxes, or crevices in buildings. They take the form of cup-shaped structures woven from sticks and grass, lined with softer materials. These wrens lay 3-8 eggs, with an incubation period of approximately two weeks, followed by a further two weeks for the fledglings to leave the nest.
To attract Bewick’s Wrens to your backyard, provide suet, mealworms, and hulled sunflower seeds.
Fun fact: The decline of Bewick’s Wrens in the eastern United States is attributed to House Wrens, which destroy the eggs of Bewick’s Wrens when nesting in close proximity.
Tips for Attracting Wrens to Your Backyard
Welcoming wrens to your backyard offers the opportunity to enjoy their delightful melodies and observe their energetic behavior up close. While only a select few wren species frequently visit residential areas, including House Wrens, Carolina Wrens, and Bewick’s Wrens, you can enhance the likelihood of their presence by following these suggestions:
- Embrace a slightly untidy yard: Provide habitats for insects and spiders, which constitute wrens’ preferred food sources. Leave fallen leaves, create brush piles, and allow spider webs to persist.
- Offer clean water sources: Consider installing running water features in multiple locations.
- Provide nesting sites: Wrens readily utilize nest boxes, and even old boots left outdoors may serve as potential nest sites.
- Supply suitable food: Wrens readily consume mealworms, crickets, peanuts, and suet.
- Create a welcoming environment with native plants: Including native plants in your backyard can attract wrens by providing natural food sources and suitable habitats. Consider planting shrubs, grasses, and flowers that are native to your region.
- Maintain a variety of feeders: Besides natural food sources, you can supplement wrens’ diets by offering a variety of feeders. Suet feeders, tube feeders, and platform feeders can all be used to provide different types of food, such as suet, hulled sunflower seeds, and mealworms.
- Provide nesting materials: Wrens are skilled nest builders, and you can assist them by leaving out materials such as small twigs, grass, and soft nesting fibers. These materials can be placed in designated areas or in a mesh bag hung in a suitable location.
- Avoid the use of pesticides: Wrens rely on insects as their primary food source, so it’s important to minimize the use of pesticides in your yard. Opt for natural pest control methods or targeted treatments to ensure a healthy insect population for wrens to feed on.
- Create sheltered areas: Wrens prefer areas with ample cover and protection. Planting dense shrubs or adding birdhouses and brush piles can provide sheltered spaces where wrens can feel safe and secure.
By implementing these strategies, you can increase the chances of attracting wrens to your backyard and enjoy their charming presence and melodious songs.
Frequency of Wren Sightings in Maryland
To gain insights into the frequency of wren sightings in Maryland, we can refer to checklists submitted to eBird by birdwatchers. The following data showcases the percentage of checklists on which different wren species were recorded during summer and winter in Maryland:
Wrens in Maryland in Summer:
– Carolina Wren: 47.6%
– House Wren: 21.6%
– Marsh Wren: 1.8%
– Winter Wren: 0.1%
– Sedge Wren: 0.1%
– Bewick’s Wren: <0.1%
Wrens in Maryland in Winter:
– Carolina Wren: 42.7%
– Winter Wren: 5.2%
– Marsh Wren: 0.3%
– House Wren: 0.2%
– Sedge Wren: 0.1%
– Rock Wren: <0.1%
– Bewick’s Wren: <0.1%
These percentages indicate the relative frequency of each species’ sightings during the specified seasons in Maryland, providing valuable information for bird enthusiasts.
Incorporating these insights into your birdwatching endeavors can help you plan and prioritize your observations, increasing the likelihood of encountering various wren species in Maryland.
Remember to observe these beautiful birds from a respectful distance, allowing them to thrive in their natural habitats while enjoying their presence and unique behaviors.