The Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a small songbird found in the eastern United States. Known for its loud teakettle call, the Carolina wren is a common backyard bird that can be attracted to feeders with the right kinds of food. Carolina wrens are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods including insects, spiders, small lizards, fruit, seeds and suet. Offering a diversity of foods will help attract and sustain Carolina wrens in your backyard.
Insects and Spiders
Insects and spiders make up the bulk of the Carolina wren’s diet, especially during spring and summer when they are feeding their young. Caterpillars are a particular favorite, including those of the tent caterpillar, fall webworm and gypsy moth. Carolina wrens will also eat beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, flies, moths, ants, bees, wasps and more. They forage for insects hidden in bark crevices, under leaves and eaves, and even dig through decaying wood looking for grub worms. Carolina wrens have also been known to eat small snails.
To attract Carolina wrens with insects, you can put out mealworms in a shallow platform feeder or hanging mesh onion bag. Canned insects made for birds are another option. Just be sure to get a high quality product made specifically for songbirds. You can also let fallen fruits like apples rot on the ground, which will draw in insects for the wrens to feed on. Avoid pesticides in your yard so you don’t poison the insects and spiders that Carolina wrens rely on.
Fruits
Carolina wrens will eat a variety of fruits including berries and small fruits. They like blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and grapes. They also enjoy mulberries, elderberries and wild cherries. In the fall and winter, Carolina wrens will eat the fruits of dogwoods, hollies, sumacs and other trees and shrubs. You can offer chopped fruits on platform feeders, mixing them with mealworms. Or simply landscape your yard with fruiting trees, shrubs and vines that will draw in Carolina wrens. Just avoid non-native invasive species and choose native fruiting plants when possible. Fruit is especially important in winter when insects are scarce.
Seeds
While not their favorite food, Carolina wrens will eat both small and large seeds. Black oil sunflower seeds are preferred, but they also like nyjer thistle, safflower, cracked corn, millet, milo, wheat berries and shelled peanuts. These can be offered at hopper, tube or platform feeders. Carolina wrens prefer to pluck one seed at a time, so avoid large seed mixes. Their small beaks can’t easily crack large seeds either. Suet feeders with small seeds mixed in are another good option. Scatter seed on the ground too, as Carolina wrens spend much of their time foraging down low.
Suet
Carolina wrens are very attracted to suet, which is made from beef fat. You can offer suet in cages, plugs, balls and more. Plain suet is fine, but consider adding in insects, seeds or fruits to make it even more enticing. Suet provides the birds with a high-energy food source in fall and winter when they need more calories to keep warm. The fat also helps the wrens maintain their body weight. Hang suet feeders in trees or from eaves and porches, but keep them in the shade so the suet won’t melt. Also clean suet feeders regularly to prevent mold.
Nectar
While not typical nectar feeders, Carolina wrens will occasionally drink from hummingbird feeders, especially in winter when other food is scarce. Consider putting up a nectar feeder with a 10% sugar solution to offer the wrens an emergency food source. Just be sure to clean the feeder regularly to prevent fermentation and mold. Or try an oriole feeder with grape jelly, which you can also offer to Carolina wrens.
Grit
Carolina wrens need grit such as sand, crushed eggshells or oyster shell to help grind up food in their gizzard since they do not have teeth. Supplying grit will improve their digestion and allow them to make better use of the food they eat. You can offer grit in a shallow tray on the ground or mix it into their seed at feeders. Be sure to use non-salted sand or grit specifically formulated for birds.
Water
Like all animals, Carolina wrens need a fresh source of drinking and bathing water. Provide a bird bath, fountain or small pond, preferably with a dripper or mister to attract these energetic birds. Moving water helps prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Place rocks or stones in the water so the wrens can get in and out easily. Keep the water clean and change it out at least twice a week. Heated birdbaths can provide liquid water in winter when temperatures drop below freezing.
Foods to Avoid
There are some foods that should not be offered to Carolina wrens:
– Avocado – contains persin, which is toxic to birds
– Raw dry beans – contains hemagglutinin, which is toxic unless thoroughly cooked
– Chocolate – contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to birds
– Salt – excessive salt is unhealthy for birds
– Spoiled or moldy food – can cause serious illness
– Pesticide-treated insects or plants – may accumulate in tissues and cause poisoning
Also avoid putting out pet food, which does not have the right nutritional balance for wild birds. And never put out old or spoiled food that could potentially make wrens sick.
Feeder Tips
Here are some tips for setting up feeders to attract Carolina wrens:
– Place feeders near thickets, brush piles or shrubs where wrens feel safe and can take cover
– Use small-sized hopper, tube and platform feeders suited for chickadee-sized birds
– Elevate feeders 5-10 feet off the ground since wrens forage low
– Use feeders with weight- or spring-loaded perches that close access to large birds
– Use mesh onion bags or small platform feeders for offering mealworms
– Use cages around suet to prevent larger birds from monopolizing it
– Clean feeders regularly with a weak bleach solution to prevent mold and bacteria
Landscaping for Carolina Wrens
In addition to providing food, you can also landscape your yard with Carolina wrens in mind:
– Leave dead trees, stumps and fallen brush to create foraging sites
– Maintain a dense understory of shrubs and brushy thickets
– Allow leaf litter and brush piles to accumulate in out-of-the-way corners
– Plant a variety of fruiting trees and shrubs like dogwood, holly, cherry, etc.
– Grow native plants that attract insects for the wrens to eat
– Provide nest boxes mounted 6-10 feet high on trees or buildings
– Avoid using pesticides and herbicides which reduce the insect populations wrens rely on
Conclusion
Carolina wrens are charismatic songbirds that make engaging backyard visitors. They mainly eat insects and spiders but will also sample fruit, seeds and suet at feeders. Offering a diversity of foods will help attract these birds. Combine food with proper feeder placement and wildlife gardening to create an attractive habitat. Once established, Carolina wrens will provide you with hours of entertainment as they sing, forage and go about their daily activities. Their loud teakettle calls will brighten up your backyard as they defend their territory and communicate with mates. With a little effort, you can successfully turn your yard into a Carolina wren haven.
