The Marsh Wren's Many Nests

BirdNote^®

The Marsh Wren's Many Nests
 
Written by Idie Ulsh

This is BirdNote.
[Song of Marsh Wren]
Tiny Marsh Wrens live in wetlands, usually within cattails, reeds, or bulrushes.
[Song of Marsh Wren]
After choosing his territory, the male weaves several dome-shaped shells, lashing together cattails, grasses, or reeds. These are called “courting” nests. Then, sitting high atop a perch in the marsh, he sings his sewing machine-like song, inviting a female to select a nest in his territory.
[Song of Marsh Wren]
Once the female has chosen one of his shells, she lines it with cattail down, feathers, leaves, or grass and lays her eggs.
Sometimes a second female chooses a nest on the opposite end of his territory.
Attracting mates and confusing predators make all the male’s work worthwhile.
When you’re near a marsh this time of year, listen for the Marsh Wren’s “sewing machine” song.
[Song of Marsh Wren]
For BirdNote, I'm Mary McCann.

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Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Marsh Wren [109118] recorded by G.A. Keller.
Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Chris Peterson
© 2011 Tune In to Nature.org          May 2011/2021    Narrator: Mary McCann
ID#     MAWR-03-2011-05-01