Carolina Wren - A Little Bird with A Big Voice

     Today's featured feathered friend is the Carolina Wren, the state bird of South Carolina.  They are heard in our backyard almost every day, but they are rarely seen.  This shy bird is only 5/1/2 inches in length and weighs just over half an ounce.  What it lacks in size, it makes up for in voice, delivering an amazing number of decibels.  It's loud, teakettle-teakettle-teakettle call, can be heard all across the eastern half of the United States.  Although females also vocalize, only the male sings the loud song.

     Carolina Wrens are small, chunky birds with a round body and a long tail that is often cocked upward.  They are bright reddish-brown above and warm buffy-orange below.  They have a long white eyebrow stripe, a white chin and throat, with a long, slender, down-curved bill.  Males and females are similar in appearance. 

     Carolina Wrens do not migrate.  As a result, their numbers decline dramatically during severe winters.  However, they are prolific breeders and with as many as three broods per year, their numbers return to normal levels rather quickly.
     Enjoy these photos, all taken in our backyard.....tweet.....tweet!!

  

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Carolina_Wren/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Wren