The Marsh Wren is BirdNote's signature bird, photographed by BirdNote advisor, Idie Ulsh. Marty, the BirdNote mascot, has been all over the world. He's seen here with writer Dennis Paulson in South Africa. Take Marty with you on your next trip! Download a copy of Marty, print him out, and pop him... read more »
Tiny Marsh Wrens live in wetlands, usually within cattails, reeds, or bulrushes. After choosing his territory, the male weaves up to 15 dome-shaped shells, lashing together cattails, grasses, or reeds. These are called "courting" nests. Then, sitting high atop a perch in the marsh, he sings,... read more »
Some bird-lovers have tagged the Marsh Wren the "Heinz 57 variety" bird, because scientists have recorded 57 different variations of its song. And nightfall doesn't faze these birds. A male may sing straight through the night. Marsh Wrens usually forage out of view, hopping up only for brief... read more »
The Canyon Wren's eloquent song soothes the soul. Naturalist Ralph Hoffman likened it to "the spray of a waterfall in sunshine." Its close cousin, the Marsh Wren, wound up with a harsh, ratcheting song - about as musical as a tiny machine-gun barrage. Birds' songs mirror their environments. The... read more »
When it's just too hard to see the bird you hear, let your ears take over! Listen for the qualities of the sound as well as the pattern. A flute-like and upward-spiraling sound is characteristic of this Swainson's Thrush. Quite a contrast to the plaintively whistled notes of a Black-capped... read more »
It's dawn in a western marsh in mid-summer, and man! Those birds are singin'! The males of more than a dozen species are staking out their territories and attracting mates. One of the noisiest of all is the Red-winged Blackbird. He sings not to attract just one mate, but to gather a whole harem!... read more »
Different sounds travel better in different environments. The explosive notes of a Marsh Wren carry well through thick vegetation. A Common Yellowthroat's choppy, repetitive song rattles right through a stand of cattails. An Olive-sided Flycatcher sings from atop a tall tree, its song carrying at... read more »
When a Canyon Wren sings, the brilliance of its sweet music can stop you in your tracks. But when its cousin, the Marsh Wren (seen here), sings, you may reach for your earplugs. Why do two closely related birds sing such contrasting songs? In the wren’s world, where song is essential to... read more »
Male Marsh Wrens will build several--as many fifteen--dome shaped shells in the reeds to woo females. He'll sing from high in the cattails to attract a female to select a bare frame in his territory. Once selected, she will collect material like cattail down, feathers, and grass to build the nest... read more »
Male Marsh Wrens will build several--as many fifteen--dome shaped shells in the reeds to woo females. He'll sing from high in the cattails to attract a female to select a bare frame in his territory. Once selected, she will collect material like cattail down, feathers, and grass to build the nest... read more »
Male Marsh Wrens will build several--as many fifteen--dome shaped shells in the reeds to woo females. He'll sing from high in the cattails to attract a female to select a bare frame in his territory. Once selected, she will collect material like cattail down, feathers, and grass to build the nest... read more »
Male Marsh Wrens will build several--as many fifteen--dome shaped shells in the reeds to woo females. He'll sing from high in the cattails to attract a female to select a bare frame in his territory. Once selected, she will collect material like cattail down, feathers, and grass to build the nest... read more »
Male Marsh Wrens will build several--as many fifteen--dome shaped shells in the reeds to woo females. He'll sing from high in the cattails to attract a female to select a bare frame in his territory. Once selected, she will collect material like cattail down, feathers, and grass to build the nest... read more »
Male Marsh Wrens will build several--as many fifteen--dome shaped shells in the reeds to woo females. He'll sing from high in the cattails to attract a female to select a bare frame in his territory. Once selected, she will collect material like cattail down, feathers, and grass to build the nest... read more »
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