In the realm of North America, specifically West Virginia, there exist a total of 11 distinct wren species. Out of these, 6 unique species have been sighted in West Virginia. Amongst them, 5 wren species are categorized as regular residents, while one species is considered an accidental visitor. The purpose of this handbook is to equip you with the ability to visually and audibly recognize these wrens.
Throughout the entirety of the year, you can come across two types of wrens in West Virginia: the Carolina Wren and the Winter Wren. During the summer season in West Virginia, you’ll find the House Wren and the Sedge Wren. As for the migration period in West Virginia, keep an eye out for the Marsh Wren. Additionally, there is another wren species, Bewick’s Wren, that you should be on the lookout for in West Virginia.
Wrens are unimpressive-looking avian creatures, but don’t be deceived by their appearance, as they possess distinctive upright tails, resonant voices, and captivating personalities. These songbirds are relatively small, plump, and adorned in various shades of brown.
It’s noteworthy to mention that wrens are New World birds, inhabiting the vast regions of North and South America. However, an exception exists in the form of the Eurasian Wren, which belongs to the Old World and is prevalent in Europe and Africa. Wrens are classified under the avian family Troglodyidae.
The wren’s diet primarily consists of insects and spiders. Their ability to thrive in diverse environments, including arid and rocky regions with limited vegetation, can be attributed to their adaptability to such food sources.
Initially, it was believed that the Winter Wren was the same species as the Pacific Wren and the Eurasian Wren. However, further studies have concluded that these are, in fact, three distinct species.
Throughout history, wrens have been steeped in folklore and symbolism. In Europe, it was once believed that the act of harming wrens would invite misfortune.
To assist you in identifying the wren species in West Virginia, this guide has been developed based on avibase data. The wrens in this list are arranged in order of their frequency of sightings, ranging from the most commonly encountered to the least, as reported by birdwatchers who have submitted checklists to ebird.
For additional aid in bird identification, you can access a complimentary photographic guide specifically tailored for West Virginia, offering visual references for the diverse bird species that grace your backyard.
West Virginia is home to six distinct wren species, each with its own unique characteristics:
1. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens reside in West Virginia throughout the year and are witnessed in more than 30% of checklists submitted by birdwatchers in the state. These birds possess a timid nature, featuring dark brown plumage on their upper body and a lighter brown shade on their underbody. Notable traits include a white stripe above their eye and an erect tail.
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 across Eastern and Southeastern states, remaining residents year-round.
These wrens are commonly found in wooded areas or regions with dense vegetation. They occasionally visit backyard feeders. While their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, they may also consume lizards, frogs, and snakes.
The song of the Carolina Wren comprises short, quick whistles.
Bobby Wilcox, XC616879. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/616879.
Carolina Wrens build nests, typically in trees, although they are adaptable and can create nests in various natural or artificial locations. These nests are usually circular with a small opening on the side. The female wren lays 3 to 7 eggs, which take approximately two weeks to hatch. The chicks require an additional two weeks to fledge.
To attract Carolina Wrens to your backyard feeders, consider using suet feeders, hulled sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts in large tube feeders or platform feeders.
Interesting fact: Carolina Wrens form lifelong pairs.
2. House Wren
During the summer months, House Wrens are the second most frequently observed wrens in West Virginia. They are documented in 17% of checklists during this season, although a few individuals can be found throughout the year. The prime period to spot them is from April to October.
House Wrens are small, unremarkable birds with rounded bodies clad in plain brown feathers. They possess darker barred wings and tails, as well as a lighter throat. Both male and female House Wrens share a similar appearance.
Distinctive features include a less prominent eyestripe compared to other wren species.
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 migration to the southern regions and Mexico for the winter.
You can encounter House Wrens in backyards, parks, and open woodland areas as they diligently search for insects and spiders. These energetic birds are often observed hopping through tangled vegetation and low branches with their tails held upright, periodically breaking into their cheerful song.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, such as beetles, caterpillars, and flies. Additionally, they consume snail shells as a source of calcium.
The House Wren’s song is not particularly melodic but consists of a series of jumbled notes varying in pitch and speed.
Peter Boesman, XC693927. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/693927.
House Wrens construct nests within old woodpecker holes, nest boxes, or other small crevices. They exhibit a preference for lightly wooded areas, utilizing twigs for nest construction and lining them with softer materials. The female lays 3 to 10 eggs, requiring around two weeks for hatching, with an additional two weeks for the chicks to fledge.
To attract House Wrens to your backyard, consider leaving piles of brush or installing nest boxes.
Interesting fact: House Wrens are surprisingly fierce despite their size. They often engage in confrontations with larger birds to secure the best nest holes, sometimes removing eggs or nestlings from the occupied sites they desire.
3. Winter Wren
Although Winter Wrens can be spotted in West Virginia throughout the year, their prevalence is higher during the winter season. They appear on approximately 2% of summer checklists and 3% of winter checklists.
Winter Wrens feature plump bodies adorned with brown feathers, characterized by darker barring on their wings, tail, and belly. They possess a lighter eyebrow stripe and maintain a distinctive upright tail. Males and females exhibit similar physical attributes.
It’s worth noting that Winter Wrens closely resemble Pacific Wrens, and they were initially considered the same species. However, subsequent investigations have classified them as distinct species with unique songs.
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 states of the U.S. during winter and the northeastern states as well as Canada during summer.
You can find Winter Wrens hidden amidst tangled undergrowth in forests and backyards. They feed on insects and spiders by rummaging through fallen leaves and decaying bark.
The song of the Winter Wren is characterized by a long, bubbly, and sweet melody, slower than that of Pacific Wrens, lasting up to 10 seconds.
David Welch, XC575300. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/575300.
Winter Wrens construct nests composed of twigs, moss, and grass intricately woven together in a round shape with a small opening. The female lays 1 to 9 eggs, with an incubation period of approximately two to two and a half weeks, followed by a further two weeks until the chicks fledge.
To attract Winter Wrens to your backyard, focus on providing native plants and maintaining dense vegetation.
Interesting fact: Winter Wren nests are typically round in shape, possess a small opening, and are occasionally suspended from trees.
4. Marsh Wren
During the spring and fall migration, Marsh Wrens can be found in West Virginia. However, they are most commonly encountered in October, appearing on approximately 1.2% of checklists during that time.
Marsh Wrens boast brown plumage adorned with black and white streaks on their back, while their underside exhibits a grayish-brown hue. They possess the characteristic upright tail that is emblematic of wrens. Distinguishing features include the absence of stripes on their shoulders and longer bills compared to Sedge Wrens. Males and females share a similar appearance.
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 U.S. states and central Canada before migrating to southern states and Mexico. Some individuals in the western regions and along the Atlantic Coast may remain year-round residents. During migration, they can be sighted in the eastern U.S.
Marsh Wrens can be observed clinging to reeds in wetland areas, gripping each foot onto separate stalks. While they may be challenging to spot, listen for their melodious songs resonating among the reeds, particularly during dawn and dusk.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and spiders, which they pluck from leaves in close proximity to the water.
The song of the Marsh Wren is distinctive, buzzing in nature and can last up to 20 minutes.
Jarrod Swackhamer, XC591813. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/591813.
Marsh Wrens construct fully enclosed nests with a small opening at the top. These nests are fashioned from reeds and grasses intricately woven together. The female lays 3 to 10 eggs, requiring approximately two weeks for incubation and a further two weeks for the chicks to fledge.
Interesting facts: Marsh Wrens have a peculiar nesting behavior, often creating up to twenty dummy nests attached to cattails. However, they typically utilize only one nest and may destroy the eggs and nestlings of rival birds.
5. Sedge Wren
Sedge Wrens are rarely sighted in West Virginia, although they are considered regular visitors, appearing from March until November.
Sedge Wrens are small brown wrens with darker upper plumage exhibiting streaks and barring, while their underparts appear lighter. They possess a small light eyebrow stripe. Males and females share a similar appearance.
Sedge Wrens resemble Marsh Wrens and inhabit similar wet areas. However, Sedge Wrens lack striped shoulders and possess lighter bellies compared to Marsh Wrens.
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 U.S. They migrate and spend the winter in southeastern states and northern Mexico, residing near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
You can find Sedge Wrens concealed amidst wet grasslands, marshy areas, and meadows rich in vegetation. They tend to prefer shallower areas compared to Marsh Wrens and actively forage for insects and spiders.
The song of the Sedge Wren is simple, consisting of a few short notes followed by a similar pitch of a few more rapid notes.
Paul Driver, XC659291. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/659291.
Interesting fact: Sedge Wrens display aggression by piercing the eggs of neighboring Sedge Wrens that nest too closely, ultimately destroying them.
6. Bewick’s Wren
In West Virginia, Bewick’s Wrens are categorized as accidental species, with the last recorded sighting dating back to 2003.
Bewick’s Wrens possess brown-backed bodies with long gray upright tails featuring darker barring. Their bellies exhibit a gray hue, and a distinctive white stripe runs over their eyes.
Thryomanes bewickii
Length: 5.1 inches (13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (8-12 g)
Bewick’s Wrens reside year-round in southern and western states, with minor movements observed during winter.
You can encounter Bewick’s Wrens in scrublands, thickets, and open woodlands as they agilely move from branch to branch, displaying characteristic flicks of their long tails.
Their diet includes insects and larvae, such as bees, bugs, caterpillars, and beetles.
The song of Bewick’s Wren commences with a couple of short higher notes, followed by lower-pitched, buzzy notes.
Manuel Grosselet, XC687852. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/687852.
Nests of Bewick’s Wrens are typically found on rock ledges, old woodpecker nests, nest boxes, or crevices in buildings. Constructed in a cup shape, these nests are made from sticks and grasses, with a softer lining. The female wren lays 3 to 8 eggs, with an incubation period of around two weeks, followed by a further two weeks until the chicks fledge.
To attract Bewick’s Wrens to your backyard, provide suet, mealworms, and hulled sunflower seeds.
Interesting fact: The decline of Bewick’s Wrens in the eastern U.S. can be partly attributed to the House Wren, which often destroys the eggs of Bewick’s Wrens when nesting in close proximity.
How to Attract Wrens to Your Backyard
Having wrens visit your backyard allows you to appreciate their melodious songs and observe their energetic behavior up close. While only a few species of wrens regularly frequent backyards, including House Wrens, Carolina Wrens, and Bewick’s Wrens, you can attract them by following these suggestions:
1. Embrace a less tidy approach to your yard, providing habitats for insects and spiders, which serve as wrens’ favorite food. Leave
fallen leaves, brush piles, and spider webs intact.
2. Ensure a clean water source, preferably with running water, in multiple locations.
3. Create suitable nesting sites by installing nest boxes or leaving out items such as old boots that may serve as alternative nesting spots.
4. Offer a variety of food options, such as mealworms, crickets, peanuts, and suet.
Frequency of Wren Sightings in West Virginia during Summer and Winter
Checklists serve as valuable resources for identifying commonly observed bird species. Based on ebird data, the following list presents the frequency of wren sightings during summer and winter in West Virginia:
Wrens in West Virginia during Summer:
– Carolina Wren: 33.4%
– House Wren: 17.0%
– Winter Wren: 2.2%
– Sedge Wren: 0.1%
– Marsh Wren: <0.1%
– Bewick’s Wren: <0.1%
Wrens in West Virginia during Winter:
– Carolina Wren: 36.3%
– Winter Wren: 3.2%
– House Wren: <0.1%
– Marsh Wren: <0.1%
– Bewick’s Wren: <0.1%
– Sedge Wren: <0.1%