Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

Status: State Endangered (1989).

Occurrence: Rare migrant south; rare summer resident southwest. In 1954 and 1955 singing males were reported in five areas in Adams County. Before and after the mid 1950's, only two areas in Adams County were inhabited by Bewick's Wrens. Adams County is considered the northeastern edge of their range. Before 1975, possible summer resident sites included Waushara, Chippewa, Dodge, Sauk and Trempealeau counties. A map outlining Pre-1977 and 1997 to Present Distribution is available.

Aid to ID: Diagnostic field characteristic is a long tail with white spots in the corners. Also has a white stripe over its eye. Underparts are white, and brown back is not streaked.

Habitat: Bewick's Wrens nest in thickets, brushy areas, and hedgerows in rural lands.

Food Habits: Consume a variety of insects and spiders. Plant material forms a small part of the diet.

Natural History:

Breeding: Clutch size: 5-7 whitish eggs; laid from March to June. Incubation: 14 days. Young fledge at 14 days old.
Nest: Made of green mosses, sticks, dead leaves, cotton, hairs, wool, and snake skins, and lined with feathers. Found in cavities in fence posts, mailboxes, cavities in trees, brush heaps, bird boxes, and crevices in stone, brick, or tile walls.

Management Considerations: No Bewick's wrens have been reported in Adams County since 1970. With the exception of one bird in Trempealeau County in July 1975, there have been no summer or autumn observations recorded in Wisconsin. Competition with the house wren, house sparrow and European starling for nest sites and food may have contributed to the decline. Conservation measures should include protection and management of early successional communities, primarily open scrub woodland, which provides ideal habitat. Open areas can be managed with prescribed burns.