In the realm of North America, one can find a total of eleven wren species, and surprisingly, all seven of them have been discovered in the state of New Jersey. Among these, five wren species in New Jersey are categorized as regular inhabitants, while two are accidental guests. The purpose of this guide is to aid you in the identification of these species based on their appearance and sounds.
Throughout the year in New Jersey, the Carolina Wrens can be observed. House Wrens and Marsh Wrens make an appearance during the summer season, whereas Winter Wrens grace the region during winter. Additionally, one should keep an eye out for other wren species in New Jersey, such as Sedge Wrens, Rock Wrens, and Bewick’s Wrens.
Wrens, although visually unremarkable, possess charismatic personalities. These songbirds are of a brown hue, relatively small in size, and quite plump, with distinctive tails held upright and voices that resonate powerfully.
Wrens belong to the avian family Troglodyidae and are indigenous to the New World, encompassing North and South America, with the exception of the Eurasian Wren found in Europe and Africa. They have adapted to a diverse range of environments, including arid and rocky regions with sparse vegetation, owing to their diet primarily composed of insects and spiders.
Initially, it was believed that the Winter Wren was the same species as Pacific Wrens and Eurasian Wrens, but it has since been recognized as a distinct species in its own right, separate from the others.
Throughout history, wrens have held significant roles in folklore and symbolic meanings. In Europe, it was once believed that harming a wren would bring about misfortune.
For a comprehensive identification of wren species in New Jersey, refer to the Avibase guide. The wrens in this compilation are arranged in order of their frequency of sightings, as reported by birdwatchers and documented in eBird checklists.
To aid in the identification of numerous bird species that visit your backyard, a free guide featuring bird identification photos specific to New Jersey can be obtained.
The following are the seven wren species found in New Jersey:
1. Carolina Wren:
Carolina Wrens are the most frequently observed wrens in New Jersey and are year-round residents. They appear in 31% of summer checklists and 26% of winter checklists submitted by birdwatchers.
Carolina Wrens possess a shy disposition and display dark brown coloration on their upper body and a lighter shade on the underside. They feature a white stripe above the eye and sport an upright tail.
Scientific name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.6-0.8 oz (18-22 g)
Wingspan: 11.4 in (29 cm)
Carolina Wrens are found throughout Eastern and Southeastern states, where they inhabit wooded areas and dense vegetation. They are known to visit backyard feeders and consume insects, spiders, as well as lizards, frogs, and snakes on occasion.
The vocalizations of Carolina Wrens consist of short, rapid whistles.
2. House Wren:
House Wrens appear in 28% of summer checklists in New Jersey and are most commonly sighted between April and October. While some individuals migrate south for the winter, a few remain in the state throughout the year.
House Wrens are small, nondescript birds with round bodies and brown plumage. Their wings and tails exhibit dark barring, and their throats are paler. Males and females have identical appearances.
Scientific name: Troglodytes aedon
Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (10-12 g)
Wingspan: 5.9 in (15 cm)
During the summer breeding season, House Wrens can be found in the United States and southern Canada before migrating to southern regions and Mexico for the winter.
Look for House Wrens in backyards, parks, and open woodlands, where they actively search for insects and spiders. They often display energetic hopping movements through tangled vegetation and emit a cheerful song.
The diet of House Wrens consists of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, flies, and snail shells for calcium.
3. Marsh Wren:
Marsh Wrens are more likely to be observed in New Jersey during the breeding season, appearing in 8% of summer checklists. Although common from April to October, some individuals may also be spotted throughout the year.
Marsh Wrens exhibit brown plumage with black and white streaks on their back. Their underparts are grayish brown, and they possess the characteristic upright wren tail. Unlike Sedge Wrens, Marsh Wrens lack striped shoulders and possess longer bills. Males and females share similar appearances.
Scientific name: Cistothorus palustris
Length: 3.9-5.5 in (10-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g)
Wingspan: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Marsh Wrens breed in northern US states and central Canada, migrating to southern states and Mexico. Some individuals may remain resident throughout the year, while others can be spotted during migration in the Eastern US.
Marsh Wrens can be found in wetlands, clinging to reeds with one foot on each stalk. They may be difficult to spot but listen for their song, particularly during dawn and dusk.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, which they pick off leaves near the water.
4. Winter Wren:
Winter Wrens are known to appear during the winter season in New Jersey, accounting for 3% of winter checklists. While a few individuals may remain throughout the year, the optimal months for spotting them are between October and April.
Winter Wrens are small and plump, featuring brown plumage with darker barring on their wings, tail, and belly. They possess a paler eyebrow stripe and short tails, which they hold upright. Both males and females exhibit similar appearances.
Scientific name: Troglodytes hiemalis
Length: 3.1-4.7 in (8-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)
Wingspan: 4.7-6.3 in (12-16 cm)
Winter Wrens can be found hidden within tangled undergrowth in forests and backyards. They forage for insects and spiders by rummaging through fallen leaves and decaying bark.
The vocalizations of Winter Wrens consist of long, bubbly, sweet songs that differ from Pacific Wrens.
5. Sedge Wren:
Sedge Wrens are rarely observed in New Jersey but are considered regular visitors, with recent sightings recorded in the state.
Sedge Wrens are small, brown-colored birds with darker upperparts displaying streaks and barring, along with paler underparts. They possess a light eyebrow stripe, and both males and females share similar appearances.
Scientific name: Cistothorus stellaris
Length: 3.9-4.7 in (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.3 oz (7-10 g)
Wingspan: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
Sedge Wrens breed in southern Canada, the Midwest, and occasionally further east in the US. They migrate to spend the winter in southeastern states and northern Mexico, primarily along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
Sedge Wrens can be found hidden within wet grasslands, marshy areas, and meadows abundant in vegetation. They prefer shallower habitats compared to Marsh Wrens and feed on insects and spiders.
Their song consists of a few short notes followed by a series of more rapid notes at a similar pitch.
6. Rock Wren:
Rock Wrens are considered accidental species in New Jersey, with the last reported sightings dating back to 2017 in Franklin Township.
Rock Wrens possess pale brown upperparts with darker flecks, barring on the wings and tail, and pale underparts with buff coloring on the lower flanks and belly. They feature a pale eyebrow stripe, a long slightly curved bill, and dark legs. Both males and females exhibit similar coloring. Rock Wrens have a distinct bobbing behavior, especially when agitated, which aids in their identification.
Scientific name: Salpinctes obsoletus
Length: 4.9-5.9 in (12.5-15 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.6 oz (15-18 g)
Wingspan: 8.7-9.4 in (22-24 cm)
Rock Wrens inhabit dry, rocky areas in western US states and southwest Canada. While individuals in southern and western regions remain resident throughout the year, those in central US states migrate south for the winter.
Look for Rock Wrens in dry and rocky areas with limited vegetation, where they feed on insects found within rock crevices.
Their song repertoire includes a variety of different sounds, often repeated several times before transitioning to a different sound.
7. Bewick’s Wren:
Bewick’s Wrens are exceedingly rare sightings in New Jersey, categorized as accidental species by the New Jersey Bird Records Committee.
Bewick’s Wrens display brown plumage on their back, accompanied by long gray upright tails with darker barring. They have gray bellies and a white stripe above the eye.
Scientific name: Thryomanes bewickii
Length: 5.1 in (13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)
Bewick’s Wrens inhabit southern and western states throughout the year, with minor movements during the winter.
Look for Bewick’s Wrens in scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands, where they hop from branch to branch, showcasing their flicking long tails.
Their diet consists of insects and larvae, including bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles.
The vocalizations of Bewick’s Wrens start with a couple of short higher notes followed by lower-pitched buzzy notes.
Nests of each wren species vary in construction and location, and the number of eggs laid ranges from 1 to 10. The incubation period lasts around two weeks, and the fledging process takes an additional two weeks.
How to Attract Wrens to Your Backyard
To attract wrens to your backyard, create suitable habitats by allowing some untidiness, providing clean water sources, and offering nesting sites such as nest boxes. Additionally, consider offering a variety of food options, including mealworms, crickets, peanuts, and suet.
How Frequently Wrens are Spotted in Summer and Winter
Based on checklists submitted to eBird, the frequency of wren sightings in summer and winter in New Jersey is as follows:
Wrens in Summer:
– Carolina Wren: 31.3%
– House Wren: 28.0%
– Marsh Wren: 8.6%
– Winter Wren: 0.1%
– Sedge Wren: <0.1%
Wrens in Winter:
– Carolina Wren: 26.7%
– Winter Wren: 3.0%
– Marsh Wren: 0.4%
– House Wren: 0.1%
– Sedge Wren: 0.1%
– Rock Wren: 0.1%