Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis)

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

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

North America, Latin America : widespread

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.

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.

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.

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.

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