Artwork by John Sill
Marsh Wren Lokta Card
$5.00 – $8.00
- Our images are set in a frame on this beautiful, handmade paper from the Nepalese Lokta shrub.
- This tree-free paper is both environmentally friendly and sustainably harvested.
- Each card comes with an envelope and is packaged individually in 100% biodegradable cellophane sleeve.
- Cards are blank on the inside for your message.
- Back of card has educational story, shown below in description.
Back of Card DESCRIPTION
The tiny, energetic marsh wren inhabits dense cattails and bulrushes in freshwater and brackish marshes throughout North America. A striped back and bold white eyebrows distinguish this species from other wrens. The songs of the male wren bubble up from the marshlands by day and often at night as he clings to vegetation, with his tail frequently slanted forward over his back. Individual males have many different song patterns. Courtship displays include the male fluffing his plumage, leaning down with his tail cocked over his back and swaying to and fro at the female. The male may have several mates each inhabiting a different nest on his territory. Male marsh wrens build a number of unlined nests, usually 1-3 feet above the water, which reduce predation on unoccupied nests by acting as decoys. Nests are made by lashing together stems of cattails or bulrushes then weaving outer walls from strips of coarse water-soaked cattails, sedges, etc. with an opening left in the side for an entrance. Insides are then lined with grasses, rootlets and cattails. Females choose one of his many nests and adds a lining of cattail fluff before laying her eggs.
Wrens are bold, resourceful, adaptable little birds. In pagan traditions wrens were considered sacred to the earth gods and goddesses. These little spitfires can help teach us confidence.
artwork by John Sill © 2003
text by Steve Sierigk
