Wren?

[BetCrooks]

Is this a Winter Wren? It was singing up a storm and then chasing from brush pile to brush pile with another wren at the Rattray Marsh on March 30. I had expected a house or carolina wren as they are quite common there, but looking at the photo, I think it looks smaller, smaller bill and more definite eyestripe, so....To make matters more confusing, it's quite possible that I saw more than one kind of wren as there were two birds.

Opinions are welcome!

[attachment=1:18rty23g]WrenSingingattheRattrayMarshMarch302016.jpg[/attachment:18rty23g]

[attachment=0:18rty23g]WrenRattray.jpg[/attachment:18rty23g]

[lucky tern]

with that amount of barring on the chest they both look like winter wren to me

[thouc]

Yes, Winter Wren.

[Reuven_M]

Time of year is often a good clue. Carolina Wrens are found year round, but Winter Wrens are normally encountered October to April and House Wrens May to September. There is definitely overlap, particularly late April, but you would not expect to see a House Wren at this time of year.

You always need to keep Marsh Wren in mind too, especially in the fall.

[BetCrooks]

Thanks to all for the id and for the useful tips for sorting out my Wrens!