Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis)

Sedge Wren

[order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Troglodytidae | [latin] Cistothorus platensis | [UK] Sedge Wren | [FR] Troglodyte des laiches | [DE] Seggen-Zaunkonig | [ES] Chivirin sabanero | [NL] Zegge-winterkoning

Subspecies

Genus Species subspecies Breeding Range Breeding Range 2 Non Breeding Range
Cistothorus platensis NA, LA widespread
Cistothorus platensis aequatorialis
Cistothorus platensis alticola
Cistothorus platensis elegans
Cistothorus platensis falklandicus
Cistothorus platensis graberi
Cistothorus platensis graminicola
Cistothorus platensis hornensis
Cistothorus platensis jalapensis
Cistothorus platensis lucidus
Cistothorus platensis minimus
Cistothorus platensis platensis
Cistothorus platensis polyglottus
Cistothorus platensis potosinus
Cistothorus platensis russelli
Cistothorus platensis stellaris
Cistothorus platensis tinnulus
Cistothorus platensis tucumanus
Cistothorus platensis warneri

Physical charateristics

Stubbier than a Marsh Wren; buffier, with buffy undertail coverts, streaked crown. Both have streaked backs.

Listen to the sound of Sedge Wren

[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/S/Sedge Wren.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto

wingspan min.: 12 cm wingspan max.: 15 cm
size min.: 10 cm size max.: 12 cm
incubation min.: 12 days incubation max.: 14 days
fledging min.: 12 days fledging max.: 15 days
broods: 1   eggs min.: 3  
      eggs max.: 7  

Range

North America, Latin America : widespread

Habitat

Grassy marshes, sedgy meadows. Breeds mostly in damp meadows of grass or sedges, also in lush hayfields and other fields with den
se low growth and scattered bushes. Generally not in deep-water marsh, but may be along their grassy edges. Winters in rank weedy meadows, coastal prairies.

Reproduction

Very erratic in its choice of nesting territory; little colonies spring up one year and are vacant the next. One male may have more than one mate. Adults often puncture the eggs of other birds nesting nearby (including those of other Sedge Wrens).
Nest: Male may build several incomplete “dummy” nests that are never used. Real nest is built very low among standing grass or sedges in wet meadow, up to 3′ above the ground, usu
ally hard to find. Nest is a round globular ball woven of sedges and grasses, with a small entrance on the side. The inside is lined with fine grass, plant down, animal hair, feathers.
Eggs: 4-8. White, unmarked. Incubation is by female only, about 14 days.
Young: Both parents feed young but female may do more. Young leave nest about 12-14 days after hatching.

Feeding habits

Mostly insects.
Diet is not known in detail, but feeds on a wide variety of insects including true bugs, beetles, moths, caterpillars, grasshoppers, ants, flies, and many others. Also eats many spiders.
Behavior: Forages very low in dense low growth of sedges and grass, creeping about and searching for insects among the vegetation and on the ground. May sometimes make short flights to catch insects in the air.

Conservation

This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Sedge Wren status Least Concern

Migration

Southern Canada l
ocally to Tierra del Fuego. Gone or sporadic in northeastern United States between dash lines.

Distribution map

Sedge Wren distribution range map

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