Songs
Only male Carolina Wrens sing—a series of several quick, whistled notes, repeated a few times. The entire song usually lasts less than 2 seconds and the notes are usually described as three-parted, as in a repeated teakettle or germany. Each male has a repertoire of up to several dozen different song variations. He'll sing one of these about 15 times before changing his tune.
Calls
Carolina Wrens have a large repertoire of calls, including loud repeated rasping, chattering, and a rising and falling cheer.
Other Sounds
When they hear an intruder encroaching on their territory, male Carolina Wrens sometimes fly in short bursts, slamming hard into surfaces with an audible whirring of their wings. Wrens in Florida "drum" palmettos in this way, apparently in an attempt to get intruders to show themselves.
Backyard Tips
Carolina Wrens visit suet-filled feeders during winter. During cold northern winters, they will take shelter in nest boxes containing dried grasses, particularly boxes with slots rather than holes. During breeding season, these wrens may nest in boxes, but they're just as likely to choose a hanging fern or an empty flowerpot tucked away in a quiet corner of an overgrown back yard. Keeping a brush pile in your yard is a great way of encouraging wrens to take up residence (read more about offering shelter to backyard birds here).
Find This Bird
Listen for the male's loud, piercing teakettle-teakettle song emanating from woody or thickly vegetated areas within the wren's range.