Carolina Wren vs Song Sparrow
The check that settles it
Streaked below with a conical bill and a tail held down.
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
- Size
- 12–14 cm
- Bill
- thin pointed
- Where
- yard, woodland, feeder
- Voice
- A ringing, repeated 'teakettle-teakettle-teakettle', astonishingly loud. Only the male sings.
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
- Size
- 12–17 cm
- Bill
- conical
- Where
- yard, marsh, feeder, open field
- Voice
- Three or four clear introductory notes, then a jumbled trill. Highly variable between individuals.
Confirming a carolina wren
- A bold white stripe over the eye.
- Tail habitually cocked up over the back.
- Rich rusty-brown above, warm buff below, no streaking.
- A slightly down-curved bill.
Confirming a song sparrow
- A dark central spot where the breast streaks converge.
- Coarse streaking below, not fine.
- Broad grey eyebrow with a brown stripe above it.
- Pumps its tail in flight.