' ... and the wren sang tenor ...'

A male Carolina wren has joined a mourning dove on an open limb for springtime choir practice. The dove in this photo seemed to be captivated by the wren's persistent song. It stared at the wren and did not sing a note.

The Carolina wren has one of the loudest calls of any North American bird of similar size. Carolina wrens often nest in unusual places inside sheds, outbuildings and garages. A birdhouse gourd with a 2-inch hole cut in the side and hung from your porch ceiling will surely attract a pair of Carolina wrens. Nesting materials include moss, dead grass, bird feathers and, sometimes, even pieces of string. These birds will often build two or three nests and then use only one.

The mourning dove, which is considered a game bird, is native and widespread throughout the continental United States and most of North America.