Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

County List:

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested or Nonforested Landscapes

1st alternative:
      (Oak (Any Size Class))
      or (Assorted Hardwoods (Any Size Class))
      or (Northern Hardwoods (Any Size Class))
      or (Swamp Hardwoods (Any Size Class))
      or (Bottomland Hardwoods (Any Size Class))
      or Residential
   containing:
      ((Man-made Structures or Dead Down Woody Debris or Snags or Living Cavity Trees)
      and Mast)
   adjacent to:
      (Edge or Riparian)

2nd alternative:
      Upland Brush
   containing:
      ((Man-made Structures or Dead Down Woody Debris or Snags or Living Cavity Trees)
      and Mast)

Habitat List:

view size class definitions

Literature:

Habitat: Deciduous forest, woodland thickets, and residential areas planted with dense cover provide ideal breeding habitat for the Carolina Wren. Nests are constructed in natural or man-made cavities, often among roots in upturned trees, beneath stream banks, or even in mail boxes.

Habitat: Breeding: A variety of places from lowland stream bank tangles to upland brushy slopes, woodland edges, slash piles vicinity of buildings. Prefers moist areas. Wintering: Low, flat ground near tidewater creeks. Narrow valleys and deep ravines in parts of winter range. Trautman observed wrens in Ohio that moved from partly exposed areas to sheltering woodlands in extremely cold weather.

Special Habitat Requirements: Low brushy vegetation.

Habitat: Tangles, undergrowth, suburbs, gardens, towns. Common in the undergrowth of deciduous or mixed woods and in thickets along forest edges. Also lives in suburban areas, especially where some dense low growth and tangles have been left undisturbed.

Diet: Mostly insects. Feeds primarily on insects of many kinds, especially caterpillars, beetles, true bugs, grasshoppers, crickets. Also feeds on many spiders, some millipedes and snails. Sometimes catches and eats small lizards or tree frogs. Also eats berries and small fruits, especially in winter, and some seeds. Usually forages in pairs, actively exploring low tangles, foliage, bark of trunks and branches, and the ground.

Nest: Site is in any kind of cavity, including natural hollow in trees or stumps, old woodpecker holes, crevices among upturned roots of fallen trees, and sometimes in middle of brush pile; also in nest boxes, crevices in buildings, on shelf in garage, many other artificial site. Usually less than 10 feet above ground. Nest is bulky mass of twigs, leaves, weeds, with lining of softer material such as moss, grass, animal hair, feathers. A piece of snakeskin is frequently added. Often a domed nest, with entrance on side.