Marsh Wren Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesMarsh Wren
Tiny, round-bodied wren with a short tail that is often held up. Rusty-brown above with black-and-white streaks down its back. Underparts are paler and unstreaked. Individuals in eastern North America are often rustier and more brightly colored than those in the West.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, October 15, 2016Boisterous bird of wetlands. Sings a gurgling rattling trill, usually while hidden in reeds. Brown above with black-and-white streaks down the back. Note pale eyebrow and unstreaked shoulder.
© Tony V / Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 15, 2017Adult
A rusty-brown wren with black-and-white streaks down its back, a white eyebrow, and a short, frequently cocked tail.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 30, 2021Not all videos have sound
Clings to reeds, grasping a different stalk in each foot. Rich brown above with dark barring on the tail; paler below with a white throat and breast. Note pale eyebrow.
© russ ogden / Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 23, 2017Small, plump wren with a thin bill. Individuals in eastern North America are rustier and more brightly colored than birds in the West. Note dark barring on tail, black-and-white stripes down the back, unstreaked shoulder, and pale eyebrow.
© David Weber / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 12, 2014Builds a nest out of dead grass and sedge stems, secured to stems of marsh vegetation.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 01, 2005Not all videos have sound
© Larry Therrien / Macaulay LibraryEstado de México, January 31, 2019
Found in wetlands with emergent vegetation such as cattails and bulrushes.
© Jack Rogers / Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, February 18, 2017Small wren of wetlands, difficult to see but easy to hear. Look for the pale eyebrow, white throat and breast, black-and-white stripes down the back, and unmarked shoulders.
© Anonymous / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, July 18, 2014Similar SpeciesSedge Wren
Sedge Wrens have a streaked crown and heavy barring on the shoulders unlike Marsh Wrens, which have an unstreaked crown and unstreaked shoulders.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, July 24, 2016Similar SpeciesNorthern House Wren
Northern House Wrens are more likely encountered around human habitations, places where Marsh Wrens are not likely to be found. Northern House Wrens also lack the Marsh Wren's dark back streaking.
© Andy Witchger / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, May 03, 2017Similar SpeciesPacific Wren
Pacific Wrens have a shorter tail and lack the Marsh Wren's dark back streaking. They also occur in different habitats; Pacific in forested areas and Marsh Wrens in wetland areas.
© Cameron Eckert / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, October 23, 2016Similar SpeciesWinter Wren
Winter Wrens have a shorter tail and lack the Marsh Wren's dark back streaking. They also occur in different habitats; Winter in forested areas and Marsh Wrens in wetland areas.
© Davey Walters / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 04, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Wrens(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Troglodytidae)
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