In the realm of North America, specifically Oklahoma, a total of 11 diverse species of wrens can be observed, with 8 of them having been sighted within the state’s boundaries. Out of these, 7 wren species in Oklahoma are classified as regularly occurring, while one species is deemed accidental. The objective of this informative manual is to assist you in visually and audibly recognizing these avian creatures.
Throughout the entire year in Oklahoma, you will encounter three types of wrens: Carolina Wrens, Bewick’s Wrens, and Canyon Wrens. In the summer season, House Wrens make their presence known, while during winter, Marsh Wrens and Winter Wrens are the ones to look out for. Additionally, there are other wren species worth noting in Oklahoma, such as Rock Wrens and Sedge Wrens.
Wrens, although visually unremarkable, possess charismatic personalities. These songbirds exhibit brown-colored plumage, relatively small stature, plump bodies, distinctive upright tails, and powerful vocalizations.
Belonging to the avian family Troglodyidae, wrens are New World birds found across North and South America, with the exception of the Eurasian Wren, which inhabits Europe and Africa, representing the Old World species.
Insects and spiders form a significant portion of the wrens’ diet, enabling them to adapt to various environments, including arid and rocky regions with minimal vegetation.
Initially, the Winter Wren was thought to be the same species as Pacific Wrens and Eurasian Wrens. However, subsequent research has identified them as three distinct species.
Wrens have a rich history intertwined with folklore and symbolic meanings. In Europe, there was once a belief that harming wrens would attract bad luck.
This comprehensive guide is intended to aid in the identification of wren species in Oklahoma based on information from avibase. The wrens mentioned in this list are arranged according to their frequency of sightings, starting with the most commonly observed species and ending with the least common, as documented by birdwatchers’ checklists submitted to ebird.
To facilitate the identification of the various bird species that frequent your backyard, you can obtain a free bird identification photo guide specific to Oklahoma.
The following are the eight wren species found in Oklahoma:
1. Carolina Wren
2. Bewick’s Wren
3. House Wren
4. Marsh Wren
5. Winter Wren
6. Canyon Wren
7. Rock Wren
8. Sedge Wren
Let’s delve deeper into each wren species:
1. Carolina Wren:
Carolina Wrens are the most commonly sighted wrens in Oklahoma, residing in the state throughout the year without undertaking migration. They are observed in 27% of summer checklists and 22% of winter checklists submitted by birdwatchers in the state.
Carolina Wrens exhibit shy behavior and possess dark brown plumage on their upper body and light brown undersides. They feature a white stripe above their eyes and have upright tails.
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 can be found in wooded areas and locations with dense vegetation, often visiting backyard feeders. They primarily feed on insects and spiders but occasionally consume lizards, frogs, and snakes.
When it comes to vocalizations, Carolina Wrens produce short songs consisting of quick whistles.
2. Bewick’s Wren:
Bewick’s Wrens are the second most frequently observed wren species in Oklahoma. They
can be spotted throughout the year and are present in 7% of summer checklists and 4% of winter checklists submitted by local birdwatchers.
These wrens display brown plumage on their backs, featuring long gray upright tails with darker barring. Their bellies exhibit a gray coloration, and they possess a white stripe 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 in southern and western states, with occasional winter movements. They inhabit scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands, engaging in hopping movements from branch to branch while flicking their long tails.
In terms of diet, they primarily feed on insects and larvae, including bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles.
Their songs begin with a couple of short higher notes followed by lower-pitched buzzy notes.
3. House Wren:
House Wrens spend the breeding season in Oklahoma and can be observed in 3% of summer checklists. While some individuals remain in the state all year, the best months to spot them are from April until mid-November.
These small, nondescript wrens possess round brown bodies with darker barred wings and tails. Their throats appear paler in comparison. Males and females share the same physical characteristics.
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)
During summer, House Wrens breed in the United States and southern Canada before migrating to the South and Mexico for the winter. They can be found in backyards, parks, and open woodlands, energetically hopping through tangled vegetation with their tails raised. Their cheerful songs can be heard as they stop along the way.
House Wrens primarily feed on insects and spiders, such as beetles, caterpillars, and flies. Interestingly, they also consume snail shells for calcium.
Their songs are characterized by a series of jumbled notes that change in pitch and speed.
4. Marsh Wren:
Marsh Wrens can be spotted in Oklahoma during the winter season. They begin arriving in September and some stay until May. The optimal months for observing them are during the spring and fall migrations from March to April and October to December.
These wrens exhibit brown plumage with black and white streaks on their backs. Their undersides are grayish brown, and they possess the distinctive upright tail commonly seen in wrens. They lack stripes on their shoulders and have longer bills compared to Sedge Wrens. Males and females share similar physical characteristics.
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 US states and central Canada before migrating to southern states and Mexico. Some individuals along the Atlantic Coast and in the western regions may remain resident throughout the year. When searching for Marsh Wrens, focus on wetlands where they cling to reeds, employing each foot to grasp different stalks. They can be challenging to spot, but listening for their songs amidst the reeds, especially during dawn and dusk, can help in their identification.
Their diet consists of insects and spiders, which they pluck from leaves near the water’s edge.
Marsh Wrens produce a distinctive buzzy song that can last up to 20 minutes.
5. Winter Wren:
Winter Wrens are most commonly sighted in Oklahoma during the winter season, accounting for 1% of checklists. They can be observed in the state from October to April.
These small, plump wrens feature brown plumage with darker barring on the wings, tail, and belly. They possess a paler eyebrow stripe and short, upright tails. Males and females exhibit similar physical characteristics.
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 are found in the eastern US states during winter and in the northeastern US states and Canada during summer.
When searching for Winter Wrens, explore dense undergrowth in forests and backyards. They forage for insects and spiders by rummaging through fallen leaves and decaying bark.
Their songs consist of long, bubbly, sweet melodies that are slower than those of Pacific Wrens and can last up to 10 seconds.
Nests of Winter Wrens are constructed using twigs, moss, and grass woven together into a round shape with a small opening. They lay 1-9 eggs, and hatching takes around two to two and a half weeks, followed by a further two weeks for fledging.
To attract Winter Wrens to your backyard, consider providing native plants and maintaining a suitable habitat.
6. Canyon Wren:
Canyon Wrens do not migrate and, although not very common, they can be observed in Oklahoma throughout the year.
These stocky brown birds possess white throats and lighter barred tails. Their heads exhibit a grayish-brown hue with speckles. They have short, strong legs that enable them to cling to rocks. Males and females share similar physical characteristics.
Scientific name: Catherpes mexicanus
Length: 4.5-6.1 inches (11.4-15.4 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.7 ounces (9.9-18.3 g)
Wingspan: 7.1-7.9 inches (18-20 cm)
Canyon Wrens are found in the western regions, spanning from southern British Columbia through western US states down to Mexico. They do not undertake migration.
When searching for Canyon Wrens, focus on rocky areas similar to those inhabited by Rock Wrens, although Canyon Wrens possess a white throat and dark belly.
Their distinctive song descends and slows, finishing with a few raspy notes.
Nests of Canyon Wrens are built in crevices using twigs and grasses, with a lining of wool and feathers.
7. Rock Wren:
Rock Wrens are considered accidental species in Oklahoma, but recent sightings have confirmed their presence in the state.
These wrens display pale brown plumage on their backs with darker flecks. They exhibit barring on their wings and tail and possess pale undersides, with buff coloring on the lower flanks and belly. They feature a pale eyebrow stripe, a long slightly curved bill, and dark legs. Males and females share similar physical characteristics. Rock Wrens engage in bobbing movements, especially when agitated, which can aid 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 dry, rocky areas in western US states and southwestern Canada. While some individuals in the southern and western regions remain resident throughout the year, those in central US states migrate south for the winter.
When searching for Rock Wrens, explore dry and rocky areas with minimal vegetation. They feed on insects found in crevices among the rocks.
Rock Wrens produce songs that often consist of the same sound repeated several times, with each repetition differing in pitch.
Nests of Rock Wrens are located on the ground, usually in cavities or depressions within rocky areas. They construct the nests using a layer of small stones followed by softer materials such as wool and moss. They may lay up to 8 eggs and have up to 3 broods per year.
8. Sedge Wren:
Sedge Wrens are rarely sighted in Oklahoma, but they are recognized as regularly occurring within the state and have been recently observed.
These small brown wrens possess darker upper bodies with streaking and barring and paler undersides. They exhibit a small light eyebrow stripe. Males and females exhibit similar physical characteristics. Sedge Wrens resemble Marsh Wrens and can be found in similar wet areas, but they lack striped shoulders and have lighter bellies.
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 sometimes further east in the United States. They migrate to spend winter in southeastern states and northern Mexico, primarily near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
To locate Sedge Wrens, search in well-hidden wet grasslands, marshy areas, and meadows with abundant vegetation. They typically prefer shallower areas compared to Marsh Wrens. Sedge Wrens feed on insects and spiders, hunting for them within the vegetation.
Their songs consist of a few short notes followed by a similar pitch of more rapid notes.
Fun fact: Sedge Wrens exhibit territorial behavior, occasionally destroying the eggs of neighboring Sedge Wrens.
How to Attract Wrens to Your Backyard
To attract wrens to your backyard, consider implementing the following suggestions:
1. Embrace a less tidy approach to your backyard, allowing for habitats that attract insects and spiders—the wrens’ preferred food sources. Leave fallen leaves, brush piles, and spider webs intact.
2. Provide clean water sources, preferably with running water, in multiple locations.
3. Offer nesting sites such as nest boxes or repurposed items like old boots, as wrens may utilize them for nesting purposes.
4. Provide suitable food options, including mealworms, crickets, peanut pieces, and suet.
5. Consult the frequency data for wren species in Ohio during summer and winter to gain insights into their relative commonness.
By implementing these strategies, you can increase the likelihood of wrens visiting and inhabiting your backyard, allowing you to appreciate their melodious songs and observe their energetic behaviors up close.