Carolina wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Next to cardinals, Carolina wrens have one of the happiest sounding songs you can hear in your backyard.

The “wheat-eater, wheat-eater, wheat-eater” songs are unmistakable, and surprisingly loud for a bird of just five inches.

Carolina wrens are common in the eastern half of Kansas, but their range appears to be expanding westward. They prefer brushy, timbered areas.

As well as in special nesting boxes placed by bird lovers, Carolina wrens often nest in sheds and other man-made structures. They are optimists and have been known to nest in mailboxes and in the pockets of old coats hanging outside.

One in Newton flushed from the pocket of a coat that was well with inside a garage. The bird never showed any more interest in the camouflage jacket.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Carolina wren."