Sedge Wren

Cistothorus platensis

Also known as:Short-billed Marsh Wren

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Identification

11 cm (4-5") The Sedge Wren is uncommon and local in central and eastern North America. Grassy marshes, sedges, grassy meadows.

The song, sreaked crown and back, buffy undertail coverts and faint eyebrow stripe help distinguish this bird from the more common Marsh Wren.

Was called Short-billed Marsh Wren.

Tiny secretive bird more often heard than seen.

Song: dry chattering "chop chop chop chop chop chopper-rrrrrr".

Details in the field

1 photo

Credit: Larry Bond

Watch and learn

2 videos

Sedge Wren

Credit: Larry Bond

Sedge Wren

Credit: Chrissy & Andy

Where it lives

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 3

What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · None · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
Was the HEAD striped ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Warbler-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)
What type of environment was the bird seen in?: Open area: field, prairie, meadow, farmland, tundra · Wooded freshwater habitat · Freshwater marsh or wetland · Freshwater shoreline · Saltwater marsh or wetland · Flat saltwater shore; beach

result:685-sedge-wren:1:1 Source: 685 Sedge Wren, row 1

Rule 2 4 criteria confidence 3

What TAIL BEHAVIOURS if any were noted ?: Pointing upward or cocked over its back
How BIG was the bird ?: Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Identify from a Unique Behaviour
What type of environment was the bird seen in?: Open area: field, prairie, meadow, farmland, tundra · Freshwater marsh or wetland · Saltwater marsh or wetland

result:685-sedge-wren:2:1 Source: 685 Sedge Wren, row 2