Wrens (Troglodytidae)
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus. Almost entirely insects and spiders; takes suet and nuts in winter.
Wrens (Troglodytidae)Carolina WrenThryothorus ludovicianus
- Scientific name
- Thryothorus ludovicianus
- Length
- 4.7–5.5 in
- Weight
- 0.6–0.8 oz
- Nest
- Domed cup in any cavity — hanging planters, sheds, mailboxes, brush
- Entrance hole
- 1 1/8–1 1/2 in
- Clutch
- 3–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–16 days
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
Identification
- Rich cinnamon-brown above, warm buff below
- Bold white eyebrow stripe
- Tail often cocked upright
Voice
Loud 'teakettle-teakettle-teakettle' sung year-round by the male.
Diet and feeding
Almost entirely insects and spiders; takes suet and nuts in winter.
What do Carolina wrens eat? · Best feeder for Carolina wrens
Carolina Wrens by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–August |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–August |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–August |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–August |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–August |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–August |
Frequently asked
What do Carolina wrens eat?
Almost entirely insects and spiders; takes suet and nuts in winter. At feeders: suet, mealworms, peanut hearts.
How big is a Carolina Wren?
4.7–5.5 in long and 0.6–0.8 oz.
Do Carolina wrens use birdhouses?
Yes — a 1 1/8–1 1/2 in entrance, 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–10 ft.
Sources
- Carolina Wren — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Carolina Wren life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Carolina Wren — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.