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Sedge Wren

Cistothorus platensis Order PASSERIFORMES - Family TROGLODYTIDAE
Summary Detailed
For complete Life History Information on this species, visit Birds of North America Online.
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  1. Description
  2. Sound
  3. Conservation Status
  4. Other Names
  5. Cool Facts
  6. Full detailed species account

A small, secretive wren that breeds in short grass and sedge marshes. Perhaps because of the highly transitory nature of its nesting habitats, the Sedge Wren moves around a great deal from year to year, not staying in one place for long.

Description

  • Small buffy bird with thin bill.
  • Short tail often held upright.
  • Bold streaks on back.
  • Narrow streaks on crown.

  • Size: 10-12 cm (4-5 in)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike

Sound

Sharp chips followed by rapid chatter.

»listen to songs of this species

Conservation Status

The species is of management concern because of its dependence on vulnerable and restricted habitats.

Other Names

Troglodyte ŕ bec court (French)
Chivirín sabanero (Spanish)
Short-billed Marsh Wren (English)

Cool Facts

  • The Sedge Wren is one of the most nomadic territorial birds in North America. On a given area, it may be present in numbers in one year, and be completely absent the next.

  • Many unconnected Sedge Wren populations occur throughout the Americas, from Canada to Terra del Fuego.

Sources used to construct this page:

Herkert, J. R., D. E. Kroodsma, and J. P. Gibbs. 2001. Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 582 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

 
 
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