Sedge Wren Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesSedge Wren
Small wren with a round belly, a streaked back, and banded wings. Often holds its short tail upright. Sexes similar.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 12, 2020Small wren with a finely streaked crown and peachy flanks. Found in wet meadows, hayfields, and marshes.
© Jim Guyton / Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, October 09, 2016Adult
Song is an accelerating series of 3 or 4 sharp chips, followed by a trill or chatter.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 31, 2020Not all videos have sound
Small, round wren with banded wings and tail and a streaked back. Flanks and lower belly have a peachy wash.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 12, 2015Found in areas with dense patches of sedges and grasses in wet meadows, hayfields, and marshes.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, July 24, 2016Adult
Occupies wet habitats with dense vegetation such as pond edges, meadows, marshes, or unmaintained hayfields.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, June 21, 2011Not all videos have sound
Note streaked crown and the brown-and-white streaking on the back.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 02, 2016Small wren of wet grasslands. Note short bill and banded wings.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 31, 2020Adult
Males countersing to maintain and defend their territories. They often show off their large song repertoires during these exchanges.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMissouri, August 13, 1997Not all videos have sound
Small wren with buffy or peachy wash to the underparts. Stays low in grassy vegetation; does not tend to use deeper marshes with cattails.
© Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, July 27, 2020Found in areas with dense patches of sedges and grasses in wet meadows, hayfields, and marshes.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, July 31, 2020Similar SpeciesMarsh Wren
Adult/immature
Marsh Wrens lack the Sedge Wren's streaked crown and barred shoulders.
© Tony V / Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 15, 2017Similar SpeciesHouse Wren
Adult/immature
House Wrens occur more often in and around human habitations and are less likely to occur in wet grasslands like Sedge Wrens. House Wrens lack the Sedge Wren's heavy back streaking.
© Andy Witchger / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, May 03, 2017Similar SpeciesWinter Wren
Adult/immature
Winter Wrens lack the Sedge Wren's heavily streaked back and occur in forested areas, whereas Sedge Wrens occur in wet grasslands and marshes.
© Davey Walters / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 04, 2016Similar SpeciesPacific Wren
Adult/immature
Pacific Wrens lack the Sedge Wren's heavily streaked back and they occur in different habitats: Pacific in forested areas and Sedge in wet grasslands and marshes.
© Cameron Eckert / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, October 23, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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