Dennis Paulson wrote:
>Not true that hatch-year [Marsh Wrens] aren't streaked on the back. They're
>colored just like adults. *Juveniles* are distinctly duller, with a poorly
>defined pattern, but they quickly molt into the definitive plumage, and all
>birds by Christmas count time should look the same. ...

Thanks for the correction on terminology (hatch-year versus juvenile). What
I infer from this is that when the backs are seen well, CBC House and Marsh
wrens should be easily separable. (The point on barred underparts is well
taken, also.)

>I think it might be easy to get a look at a Marsh Wren and not see the back
>streaks, which don't show that prominently from the side. I don't know
>what to say if the bird didn't have a trace of streaks on the back.

My best views of the back were from above-and-aside and from
above-and-behind, with the bird in flight. Poor light or brief appearances
may have confused me, but I felt certain that no streaking was present. So
I'll join you in not knowing what to say...
------------------------
Scott Richardson
NE Seattle
salix at isomedia.com