It's slightly arched bill is nearly as long as the oblong head. Coverts and tail barred with blackish-brown and secondary and middle coverts tipped with white. Under tail coverts white and barred with a blackish-brown color.
Legs are flesh color.
The tail feather is long and curves downwards. The female is lighter above, tinged with grey beneath. The flight of the Carolina Wren are short flappings of the wings and accompanied by violent jerks of the tail and body. All this is accompanied with a strong chirr-up, uttered as if the bird were in an angry mood, and repeated at short intervals. The quickness of the motions of this active little bird is fully equal to that of the mouse.