Russet-naped Wren
Campylorhynchus humilis
Large wren usually found in small groups, less often in pairs. Mainly found in thorn forest and dry scrubby habitats. Note boldly barred wings and tail and russet nape patch. At most only limited overlap with the formerly conspecific Rufous-backed Wren; in Russet-backed the barring and spotting on the upperparts is more prevalent, and whatever rufous coloration is present is generally not as bright. Often detected by its marvelous loud song, often given by multiple birds at once, which consists of various nasal and whistled notes, with some harsh elements mixed in.
Identification
The adult Sclater's wren has a reddish brown crown, blackish lores and eyestripe, and a white supercilium. Its nape and back are chestnut and its tail is gray-brown with darker bars and a white tip. Its chin and throat are white, the chest pale buff, and its belly a darker buff with faint blackish bars on the flanks. The juvenile is similar but its supercilium is buffy white, the back a duller chestnut, and the markings on the back less distinct.
Taxonomy
What is now Sclater's wren was previously treated as one of eight subspecies of rufous-naped wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha). A 2009 publication proposed that Campylorhynchus rufinucha (sensu lato) be split into three species and the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) accepted the splits. What had been C. r. humilis was elevated to species status as Sclater's wren. The reduced C. rufinucha received the new English name Veracruz wren and the other six subspecies became subspecies of C. capistratus, the rufous-backed wren.<p>BirdLife International (BLI) has implemented the split but retains the English name rufous-naped wren for C. rufinucha. However, the North American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society (NACC/AOS) and the Clements taxonomy have not accepted the split as of early 2021.
- Scientific name
- Campylorhynchus humilis
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1857
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Troglodytidae
- Genus
- Campylorhynchus
Range and habitat
Sclater's wren is endemic to Mexico. It is found in from Colima south through Michoacán to Guerrero and east to Oaxaca and southwestern Chiapas. It inhabits lowland dry tropical forest, primarily in arid and semi-arid areas. It also occurs in human-modified landscapes and coastal mangroves. In elevation it ranges from sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Sclater's wren preys on a variety of insects.<p>Little information is available on Sclater's wren's breeding phenology. It is known to build a globular nest with a side entrance like the other species in its genus. It typically constructs them in thorny bushes and trees, especially Vachellia collinsii.<p>An example of the Sclater's wren song is [1]. An example call is [2].<p>The IUCN has assessed Sclater's wren as being of Least Concern. "The population has not been quantified since the species was split" but "is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats."
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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