Carolina wren what do they eat

Carolina wrens are usually found in pairs, and each pair stays on its home territory all year long. Because these wrens cannot survive cold winters, they tend to live in southern climes, and are the official state bird of South Carolina. They are found as far north as the Great Lakes, and warm winters spur them to extend their range northward. However, when colder years arrive, many northern birds are unable to survive and fringe populations plummet. These large wrens feed on insects, larvae, and spiders but also eat berries and fruit.

They forage on or near the ground and hop along far more often than they fly. They use their bills to poke about and search for hidden meals and try to remain close to brush in which they can hide. Carolina wrens are monogamous, and breeding pairs may stay together for years. They work together to construct nests—which may be found almost anywhere. Wrens nest in natural locations such as branches, tree-holes, and stumps but also frequent windowsills, mailboxes or other attractive human-made spots.

Females lay about four eggs and incubate them for two weeks while their mates bring them food. Both parents feed their chicks for an additional two weeks before they gain independence. A mating pair of Carolina wrens may have several broods each year.

All rights reserved. Common Name: Carolina Wren. Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus. Type: Birds. Diet: Carnivore. Carolina wrens are more prone to eat at feeders and eat berries during winter when it is cold and harder to find food.

For this reason, it is a good idea to put out a feeder to help these birds and other bird species as well survive the winter. Since the number of Carolina wrens have gone down previously due to severe winters the existence of bird feeders during winter as well as the general warming of climate could help increase their number again. A good idea to encourage Carolina wrens to stay and feed in or near your yard is to provide roosting pockets near the bird feeders. Roosting pockets are little shelters, much like birdhouses but smaller and not meant to be used as a nesting site , wherein the birds can roost and hide from the cold during winter.

When the chicks hatch, they are helpless. They have closed eyes which open after three days , pale gray down, translucent pink skin and a yellow bill. The female broods the chicks for the first four days after hatching. This protects them and keeps them warm. After four days, the female broods the chicks mostly at night. Both parents feed the chicks butterfly and moth larvae, crickets, grasshoppers and beetles. The chicks leave the nest after 12 to 14 days. After they leave the nest, the chicks stay together and the parents continue to feed them for about 4 weeks.

The young Carolina wrens are able to breed the next spring when they are about a year old. Male and female Carolina wrens both care for their young. The male and female work together to build the nest and feed the chicks. The female incubates the eggs and broods the young herself.

While she is doing this, the male brings food to her. The oldest known Carolina wren lived at least 6 years and 1 month. Haggerty and Morton, Carolina wrens are diurnal active during the day. They stay in the same area all year and do not migrate. They use calls and songs to defend a territory year-round. Carolina wrens are mostly terrestrial. They spend most of their time on the ground, hopping around. They are able to fly, but usually do not fly very far.

Instead, they use their wings to help them hop over tall objects. Carolina wrens preen by using their bills and wings. They also dust-bath as a part of preening. Haggerty and Morton, ; Hill Collins, Jr. One study in Alabama estimated the average home range of Carolina wrens to be 0. Carolina wrens communicate using body signals and calls and songs. For example, Carolina wrens may use body signals to threaten another wren that enters their territory. To do this, a Carolina wren will hold their wings out, fan their tail and point their bill at the intruder.

Carolina wrens' songs are loud and high pitched. Females are able to make sounds, but only males are able to make songs. The sounds and songs are used in many different situations.

For examples, Carolina wrens may call or sing when they threaten a predator or another wren, while defending their territory, or to signal distress. Carolina wrens sing and call year-round. Carolina wrens are insectivores. They eat many different insects and spiders. They feed mostly on the ground, and seem to eat whatever they insects and spiders they find.

Carolina wrens search for food by using their bills to move brush and vegetation, to search under brush piles, in decaying logs and trees, under tree bark, and around the banks of swamps. As ground feeders, Carolina wrens have trouble surviving long winters with a lot of snow.