Bird Guide

Bewick's Wren vs Carolina Wren

Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

Bewick's Wren

Thryomanes bewickii

Tiny10 gShrubland

Bewick's wren has an average length of 13 cm (5.1 in) an average weight of 8–12 g (0.28–0.42 oz), and a wingspan of 18 cm (7.1 in). Its plumage is brown on top and light grey underneath, with a white stripe above each eye. Its beak is long, slender, and slightly curved. Its most distinctive feature is its long tail with black bars and white corners. It moves its tail around frequently, making this feature even more obvious for observers. Juveniles look similar to adults, with only a few key differences. Their beaks are usually shorter and stockier. Voice: Bewick's wrens, like many wrens, are very vocal. Both females and males make short calls while foraging and both use a harsh scolding call when agitated. Males also sing in order to attract mates and protect their territory.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Missvain · CC BY 4.0
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

Carolina Wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Small19 gWoodland

At 12.5 to 14 cm (4.9 to 5.5 in) long, with a 29 cm (11 in) wingspan and a weight of about 18 to 23 g (0.63 to 0.81 oz), the Carolina wren is a fairly large wren; the second largest in the United States species after the cactus wren. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 5.4 to 6.4 cm (2.1 to 2.5 in), the tail is 4.5 to 5.6 cm (1.8 to 2.2 in), the culmen is 1.4 to 1.8 cm (0.55 to 0.71 in) and the tarsus is 2 to 2.3 cm (0.79 to 0.91 in). Sexual dimorphism is slight with males being larger than their mates. Voice: Carolina wrens sing year round and at any point during the daytime, except during the most harsh weather conditions. Males alone sing, and have a repertoire of at least twenty different phrase patterns and on average, thirty two.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: James Robe · CC0
Photo: Ken Thomas · Public domain

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Bewick's Wren and Carolina Wren.