Cistothorus palustris
The energetic and reclusive Marsh Wren is usually associated with cattail marshes and dense, wet meadows. Although it prefers to keep a low profile by staying hidden in the deep vegetation, its distinctive song is one of the characteristic voices of our freshwater wetlands. Patient observers might be rewarded with a brief glimpse of a Marsh Wren perching atop a cattail reed as it quickly evaluates its territory. Marsh Wrens occasionally destroy the nests and eggs of other Marsh Wrens and blackbirds. Red-winged Blackbirds, in turn, occasionally destroy the nest and eggs of Marsh Wrens. The scientific name palustris is Latin for 'marsh.' |
I.D.: Sexes similar: white chin; lighter brown upperparts; black triangle on the upper back, streaked with white; white eyebrow; unstreaked, brown crown; long, thin, downcurved bill. Size: L 5 in. (13 cm). Range: locally common to rare migrant and breeder throughout the Rockies. Habitat: cattail and bulrush marshes up to the lower subalpine. Nesting: typically across central North America; in cattail marshes; globe-like nest is woven with cattails, bulrushes, weeds and grass and lined with cattail down; female incubates 4-6 eggs for 12-16 days. Feeding: gleans vegetation and flycatches for adult aquatic invertebrates, especially dragonflies and damselflies; occasionally eats other birds' eggs. Voice: Male: rapid series of zig-zig-zig-zig, like an old sewing machine. Similar Species: Bewick's Wren longer tail; lacks the streaked back. House Wren: faint eyebrow; lacks the white streaking on the back. |
