Fulvous Wren
Cinnycerthia fulva
Reddish-brown wren with a faint pale eyebrow found in the understory of humid montane forest. Larger and longer-tailed than the tiny Mountain Wren, which also has a bolder eyebrow. Replaced at the northern end of its range by the very similar Peruvian Wren. Forages singly or in pairs low in bushes and near the ground. Listen for its loud song, a flowing series of whistles and trills.
Identification
The fulvous wren is 14.5 cm (5.7 in) long; male weights average 18.4 g (0.65 oz) and female weights 14.8 g (0.52 oz). The nominate adults have a reddish brown crown and back that is redder on the rump. They have a buff supercilium, a dull brown eye stripe, and buffy cinnamon cheeks. The tail is also reddish brown, and has narrow blackish bars crossing it. The throat is buffy white, the chest buffy cinnamon darkening to reddish brown on the flanks and belly. C. f. fitzpatricki has a darker crown and a lighter supercilium than the nominate. C. f. gravesi has a whitish supercilium and its underparts are paler than those of the nominate. The immature is similar to the nominate adult but its crown is grayish.
Taxonomy
The fulvous wren was formerly considered a subspecies of Cinnycerthia peruana, which at that time was called sepia-brown wren and is now called Peruvian wren. Fulvous wren, Peruvian wren, and what is now called sepia-brown wren (C. olivascens) form a superspecies.<p>The fulvous wren has three subspecies, the nominate Cinnycerthia fulva fulva, C. f. fitzpatricki, and C. f. gravesi.
- Scientific name
- Cinnycerthia fulva
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1874)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Troglodytidae
- Genus
- Cinnycerthia
Range and habitat
The nominate fulvous wren is found in the eastern Andes of Peru, primarily in the Department of Cuzco. C. f. fitzpatricki is found in the Vilcabamba mountain range, which is also in Cuzco. C. f. gravesi is found from southern Peru's Department of Puno south to central Bolivia's Cochabamba Department. The species inhabits wet montane forest between 1,500 and 3,300 m (4,900 and 10,800 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The fulvous wren forages on the ground and in low vegetation, often in small flocks. Its diet has not been described.<p>Virtually nothing is known about the fulvous wren's breeding phenology except that birds in breeding condition were documented in January in Bolivia.<p>The fulvous wren's song and calls have not been formally described. An example of each from Xeno-canto are [1] and [2].
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-browed Bunting
Emberiza chrysophrys
Small, modestly attractive bunting of brushy areas and open forests. Brown overall with a paler belly and bright yellow-suffused supercilium. Male has mostly black head, female has a predominantly brown head, but the sexes are otherwise rather similar. Head pattern recalls Rustic and Tristram's Buntings, but neither has yellow in the supercilium. Largely solitary, but may appear in small flocks on migration.
Cobb's Wren
Troglodytes cobbi
Endemic to the Falkland Islands, where it is found in seashore areas and offshore islets, typically in association with tussac grass. Often forages on rocky beaches, picking at food items washed up by the tide. Somewhat similar House Wren has wandered to the Falklands before, but note present species’ gray-brown head and neck, lack of a prominent eyering, and longer darker bill. Can be tame and confiding, allowing close approach. Rattling song, somewhat similar to that of House Wren, can be given from an exposed perch or deep in cover. Calls include nasal mews and harsh, dry churrs and rattles.
Long-legged Buzzard
Buteo rufinus
A large, long-winged buzzard which may recall a small eagle in size. Variable plumage with three color morphs. All have obvious dark carpal patches at the wrist of the wing. Juveniles lack the adult’s prominent black trailing edge to the wings. Often hunts from a prominent perch, or sits on the ground and scans for prey. A species of open steppe and desert country, sometimes in more wooded areas but always near big open spaces. Compare with similar Common and Upland Buzzards, as well as Rough-legged Hawk; note long-winged structure, size, and wings held in “V” in soaring flight.
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