South Carolina State Bird – Carolina Wren

South Carolina SC Facts & Firsts SC State Symbols SC State Bird The Carolina Wren, sometimes referred to as the Great Carolina Wren, was adopted as the South Carolina state bird in 1948, replacing the Mockingbird. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats including fields, woodlands, and swamps.

Carolina Wrens build their nests in the holes of trees, on fence posts, or in the eaves of houses and barns. However, the wren is also known for nesting in unusual places such as bags, boxes, flower pots, and even shoes. Both the male and female participate in nest-building, but the female generally adds the finishing touches prior to laying her eggs.


The state bird lives year-round in South Carolina. It can also be found from Southern Canada all the way down the East Coast of the United States and across the western border into Texas. Its Latin name, Thryothorus Ludovicianus, means "reed-jumper of Louisiana."¹

There are countless types of wrens, including the Stripe-Breasted Wren and the Marsh Wren. The Carolina Wren is unique because only the male sings loudly (not the female), in order to attract his mate. The couple remains together for life.


A female lays up to three broods (or sets) of eggs each year. The eggs are light and creamy in color, and are speckled with reddish-brown. There are usually 3 or 4 eggs per brood, and they take 14 to 16 days to hatch. Hatchlings leave their nest within two weeks. Once gone from the nest, they are called fledglings, and their parents continue to visit and feed them until they are approximately four weeks old.

The Carolina Wren can be recognized by the white stripe that runs above each eye and its distinctive "tail-up" posture. The song is a familiar one throughout South Carolina, resembling the words "tea-kettle-tea-kettle-tea-kettle-tea."

1. Hilton Pond Center, "Carolina Wren: The South Carolina State Bird"

More about the Carolina Wren

• Fun and especially informative article on Carolina Wrens - full of great pictures - great read for kids and adults alike - created by York County's Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
• All About Birds: Carolina Wren - facts, photos, recording of song, map of flight range, more - from Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology
• National Geographic profile and photo - photo can be downloaded for your computer's "wallpaper"
• Audubon's historic 19th-century description and Carolina Wren colorplate - includes links to the species' family and genus