Marsh Wren
Cistothorus palustris
A single male marsh wren may build up to a dozen decoy nests in his territory to confuse predators and entice prospective mates.
- Scientific name
- Cistothorus palustris
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Troglodytidae › Cistothorus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Freshwater and brackish marshes dominated by tall emergent vegetation like cattails, bulrushes, and reeds.
- Diet
- Insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates gleaned from marsh plants and the water's surface.
- Range
- North America, Canada, United States, Mexico
- Size
- Length: 11-14 cm, Wingspan: 15 cm, Weight: 9-14 g
- Lifespan
- 2 to 6 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Wetland degradation, habitat loss due to coastal development, pollution, and invasive plant species like common reed (Phragmites) that choke out native nesting vegetation.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These birds are highly active and vocal but pose no threat to humans. Observe them from a respectful distance of 5-10 meters with binoculars to avoid disrupting their nesting territories. If they begin making loud, raspy scolding calls, you are too close to a nest and should step back.
The marsh wren ( Cistothorus palustris ) is a small North American songbird of the wren family. It is sometimes called long-billed marsh wren to distinguish it from the sedge wren, also known as short-billed marsh wren.
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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