South Carolina State Bird
Carolina Wren (common name)  Thryothorus ludovicianus (scientific name) Overview A small brown bird, but one of the biggest of the wren family, the Carolina wren is a popular songbird. It was declared the state bird of South Carolina in 1948 (when it replaced the mockingbird). It is brown above, orangeish-brown below, faintly striped on the sides, with a white throat. The head has a white "brow" and its tail is usually cocked, pointing straight up. The Carolina wren is a relentless singer; its many calls include a loud "tea kettle, tea kettle, tea kettle" song, an alarm call, and a very harsh scolding call made to drive away intruders. The male and female sing different parts that are interwoven into one call so it sounds like a single bird singing. Males sing more loudly, and songs will vary by geographic region. In warmer seasons the Carolina wren primarily eats insects and spiders, but it will also eat small lizards or tree frogs. In winter, they also eat seeds, berries, and small fruit. Nests are typically a bulky dome with a small entrance at the top although they will nest in holes in fence posts and nooks in barns, bridges and houses at heights of 10 feet (3m) or less. The bird’s modest beauty and beautiful songs are important factors in its popularity. Close-up STATUS Official ALSO KNOWN AS Saltapared carolinense PHYSICAL DETAILS    Male Female  Size Length to end of tail: 5–7 in (12–18 cm) Wing from flexure: 11.4 in (29 cm) Length of tail: 2.3–2.5 in (5.9–6.3 cm) Length to end of tail: 5–7 in (12–18 cm) Wing from flexure: 11.4 in (29 cm) Length of tail: 2.3–2.5 in (5.9–6.3 cm)  Weight .7 oz. (20 g) .7 oz. (20 g) BEHAVIOR Forages in leaf litter or tree trunks in monogamous pairs. HABITAT Fairly dense shrubby or brushy areas in forests, swamps, and residential areas. Range: The eastern half of the U.S.; the extreme south of Ontario, Canada; the extreme northeast of Mexico; and the Yucatan Peninsula. Migration: Non-migratory Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC) NESTING Nesting Period: 2–3 times a year Size of Clutch: 4–6 eggs Incubation Period: 12–16 days Egg Description: Oval, gray-white with reddish-brown speckles Egg Size: 0.72–0.78 in (18.2–19.8 mm) SIMILAR SPECIES White-browed wren, Berwick’s wren TRIVIA Part of its scientific name, ludovicianus, means "from Louisiana." Gradually increasing winter temperatures since the mid-1900s have led to an expansion of the Carolina wren’s territorial range farther north.
	Click to enlarge an image Carolina Wren Carolina Wren Foraging for Food Juvenile Carolina Wren Carolina Wren Distribution Map (pdf) CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae Genus: Thryothorus Species: T. ludovicianus
	Author: World Trade Press