Carolina Wren—CARW

Omnipresent, loud and relatively fearless, you are likely to hear a Carolina Wren before you see it, and if you’re not familiar with the bird you’ll be amazed at how loud such a tiny bird can be. The spend the whole year in New Jersey. During the 2020 pandemic, we had a pair construct a nest next to the room air-conditioner in our bedroom window creating a natural alarm clock for a month or so as they attended to their eggs and then nestlings. They regular visitors to most of our feeders, although they make just a few visits per day, so you have to keep your eyes peeled to catch one at a feeder. 

Thanks to their loud, persistent calling (t-t-tweedle, t-t-tweedle, t-tweet) they’re easy to find in many local wooded habitats. In addition to our yard and the local streets, I’ve photographed them at Manasquan Reservoir, Weltz Park, Sandy Hook, Forsythe,  and the F .Bliss Price Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary in Eatontown. I’m surprised to discover that I’ve never seen one at Cattus Island.