Last Updated on
If you live somewhere with marshy grasslands, you could find the adorable sedge wren in plenty throughout the year. Unlike many birds who spend their time darting through trees, the sedge wren prefers to be close to the ground. So, they can be a challenge to find, but that’s half the fun.
This article will go over everything from what these birds look like (with pictures), to where you can find them, and finally, to how you can bring them to your backyard.
Habitat | Grasslands |
Diet | Insectivore |
Behavior | Ground Forager |
Nesting | Shrubs |
Conservation | Low Concern |
Scientific name | Cistothorus stellaris |
Lifespan: | Approximately 5 years |
Sedge wrens are small, sparrow-sized birds. They have a short, curbed bill perfect for snagging insects as they forage on the ground. Typically, their bellies and chests are a pale brown color, but the rest of them are streaky pattern colors such as brown, black, straw, white, and gray. In addition, they have a characteristic streak of brown above their eyebrow.
These little birds have small, compact bodies held up by long legs. They also have short wings to match their bodies, but their tales are longer.
Image Credit: Rob Jansen, Shutterstock
Depending on the time of year, you can find sedge wrens throughout central and eastern North America. Their range stretches from Mexico all the way north into some of the southern parts of Canada.
Usually, you will find sedge wrens in swampy grasslands. However, you may also find them in farmer’s fields, grassy prairies, bogs, marshes, and other wetland areas. Basically, any open areas with lots of tall vegetation attract these birds.
Image Credit: Rob Jansen, Shutterstock
Because these birds prefer foraging in vegetation on or near the ground, they can actually be difficult to spot. Occasionally, they will snatch insects out of the air as they fly. In addition, you may spot a male on a higher perch, singing to defend his territory.
Aside from knowing they primarily eat insects, we don’t know exactly which bugs these birds feed on. A sedge wren’s diet includes beetles, moths, ants, grasshoppers, and flies.
Image Credit: J. Esteban Berrio, Shutterstock
When it comes to nesting, sedge wrens have an erratic pattern. For example, small colonies of the birds may settle in one year and be gone the next without returning. One interesting thing about their nesting is that the male will often start several nests that don’t get finished. Their “real” nest will always be low among the grassy vegetation.
When it comes to mating, a male sedge wren may actually have multiple mates in one nesting season.
Here are a few things to consider if you’re searching for a sedge wren.
The most common call you’ll hear from a sedge wren is a sharp “tchap” note. And when they’re singing, it’s often several sharp, dry notes followed by a quick succession of the same notes known as a trill.
Image Credit: Capitan Crizelini, Shutterstock
Because they spend much of their time foraging in the low grass and on the ground, you’ll look for these small brown birds hopping around or flying low. Occasionally, a male will be on a high perch, singing their heart out. But often, they do so on a hidden perch.
Imitating their call or phishing is sometimes an effective way to bring these birds out of hiding.
Like many similar birds, sedge wrens are typically most active throughout the day, and you’ll usually catch them in pairs. This is true for the whole year, except winter, because we don’t know a lot about their winter habits.
Image Credit: Rob Jansen, Shutterstock
The biggest thing to remember when you want to attract sedge wrens to your backyard is that they eat insects. So, encouraging insect populations in the yard is the best way to get these wrens and other birds to visit you.
Overall, sedge wren populations are classified as “Least Concern.” However, several individual states have listed them as endangered within that state. The primary reason for that is human development. As wetland habitats are developed, their homes are destroyed, and these birds do not return.
You don’t have to be a “professional” bird watcher to find sedge wrens. Though, due to them typically staying low to the ground, you may find them a little more difficult to find. But if you’re patient and you master the art of phishing, they are a fun bird to watch.
Featured Image Credit: Ondrej Prosicky, Shutterstock
Shea Cummings is a passionate content writer who believes that the power of words is immeasurable. He leverages years of experience in various trades such as carpentry, photography, and electrical to bring his articles to life. His goal is to provide his readers with information that delights and informs. When he's not writing you can find him spending time in the outdoors or playing some Minecraft on the Xbox with his wife and two sons.
10 Types of Hummingbirds in Arkansas (With Pictures)
8 Types of Hummingbirds in Nebraska (With Pictures)
5 Types of Hummingbirds in Idaho (With Pictures)
3 Types of Hummingbirds in Mississippi (With Pictures)
8 Types of Hummingbirds in Kansas (With Pictures)
5 Types of Hummingbirds in West Virginia (With Pictures)
5 Types of Hummingbirds in Ohio (With Pictures)
Where Do Nuthatches Nest? Nuthatch Nesting Habits Explained