Carolina wren vs house wren1/9/2023 ![]() Update – new photo Two Carolina Wrens sleeping with feathers fluffed, which exposes the white spots on the rump. If you already know the answers, or have some ideas, please leave a comment. are all open questions that could be answered by an alert backyard birder. The function of this display, how often it is used, under what circumstances, by one or both sexes, etc. So much basic information about common birds like this is still unknown. ![]() It seems clear that this is a display – the fact that the bird is singing, and that the odd feather arrangement reveals distinctive markings – all suggests that it means something important to other Carolina Wrens. Photo by Richard Messer, used by permission. And the same Carolina Wren a few seconds later, after fluffing out the rump feathers so that they now cover the wings and reveal white spots. In this case the bird has fluffed them out to cover the wings, and in that way shows a bunch of white spots. The feathers that are involved are the rump feathers, which usually lay flat against the body, under the wings, forming a smooth contour from back to tail. Carolina Wren in normal posture, about to sing, with rump feathers hidden by the wings. The BNA account for Carolina Wren doesn’t mention anything about this (and has very little on displays in general), and checking several other references, as well as looking for info on related species of wrens also came up empty. ![]() I’ve noticed spots like this a few times in the field, but never had a chance to really wonder about them. Reader Richard Messer sent me the photos below, asking if I knew what the behavior was that displayed the white “rump spots” of the Carolina Wren.
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