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South Carolina State Bird
Carolina Wren
- Official South Carolina State Bird: Carolina Wren
- Family: Troglodytidae, Wrens
- Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
- Length: 5.5" (14 cm)
- Diet: Insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates, few seeds.
- Voice:
Listen to Carolina Wren Song (recorded by Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Song extremely varied; a rolling chant of rich
phrases tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle or TWEE pudo TWEE
pudo TWEEP and other variations. Along, buzzing chatter
sometimes given with song. Calls generally richer than other wrens: a
harsh, complaining zhwee zhwee zhwee...; a descending, musical
trill; a low, solid dip or didip.
- Habitat: Common in the concealing underbrush of
moist woodlands and swamps, wood suburbs, gardens, towns.
- Number of broods: 2 in the North, often 3 in the
South.
- Nest: In natural holes, also amid roots of
upturned tree, in variety of other cavities and brush piles.
They will also nest in nest boxes or bird houses and hanging plant
baskets. My personal favorite is a nest found in the mouth of a
9 lb flounder skeleton nailed on the side of my grandfather's barn.
Nest consists of
twigs, bark strips, leaves, grass and is lined with fine materials.
- Eggs: Averages 4-8 white eggs, often pinkish or
creamy, usually heavily flecked with browns, purple, often wreathed.
0.8" (19 mm).
- Incubation period: 12-14 days
- Fledge: 12-14 days after hatching
- Longevity Record: 9 Years and 3 months (according to USGS
Bird Banding Lab)
Prior to 1939 "The Carolina Wren" had been unofficially recognized as the
State Bird of South Carolina. In 1939 the General Assembly passed an Act
(No.311) designating the Mockingbird as the official Bird of the State. Act No.
693, 1948 (1962 Civil Code, Sec.28-2) was passed repealing the 1939 Act and
designating the Carolina Wren as the official South Carolina State Bird instead
of the Mockingbird.
South Carolina State Bird Books
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