Flutist Wren
Microcerculus ustulatus
Tiny, mouse-like bird of tepui forest understory. Entirely dark rufous-brown with a stubby tail. Found only in humid, mossy forest on tepui slopes, mostly above 1000 meters, where it is difficult to see, staying close to the ground as it crawls over roots, rocks, and large branches. Usually encountered alone and does not follow mixed-species flocks. Most easily detected by its extraordinary song: a variable series of short, pure whistles, rising and falling but usually ending with several notes on the same pitch; humanlike and easily imitated. May pop into view in response to imitation or playback, bobbing nervously before disappearing. Could be confused with Tepui Wren, but is darker brown overall and lacks buffy eyebrow.
Identification
The flutist wren is approximately 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long and weighs approximately 22 g (0.78 oz). The nominate adult is generally chocolate brown, somewhat darker on the lower belly and vent area. The crown has faint scalloping, the lower back, rump, and chest have a reddish tinge, the chin is a paler brown. The chest also has a scaly appearance. The juvenile is similar but has obscure dark barring on its underside. M. u. duidae is overall paler and less rufous than the nominate. M. u. lunatipectus's underside has the heaviest and most extensive scaling of all the subspecies. M. u. obscurus has a darker upperside and a redder underside than the nominate.
Taxonomy
The flutist wren has four subspecies, the nominate Microcerculus ustulatus ustulatus, M. u. duidae, M. u. lunatipectus, and M. u. obscurus.
- Scientific name
- Microcerculus ustulatus
- Authority
- Salvin & Godman, 1883
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Troglodytidae
- Genus
- Microcerculus
Range and habitat
The nominate M. u. ustulatus flutist wren is found in western Guyana, southeastern Venezuela, and the immediately adjoining part of northern Brazil. M. u. duidae is found in Amazonas and western Bolívar states of Venezuela. M. u. lunatipectus is found in central Bolívar state and M. u. obscurus in eastern Bolívar state.<p>The flutist wren is a bird of mountains, inhabiting dense humid subtropical montane forest, including the flat tops of some tepuis. In elevation it ranges from 860 to 2,100 m (2,820 to 6,890 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The flutist wren usually forages on the forest floor, but sometimes also a little above it. Its diet is known to be arthropods but no details have been published.<p>No information has been published about the flutist wren's breeding phenology.<p>The flutist wren's primary song is "a superb glissando which, after a couple of introductory notes, gradually and slowly slides up the scale". It has a similar alternate song, "but with notes more clipped and gradually dropping in pitch."
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pale-breasted Spinetail
Synallaxis albescens
Small, long-tailed bird that tends to stay hidden. Difficult to see well unless singing, when it can perch more conspicuously. Overall pale gray-brown with rufous wings and crown. Similar to Slaty Spinetail but paler especially on the throat. Found in weedy, tangled undergrowth in fields and edges of secondary growth. Distinctive song: a harsh sneezing “achoo…achoo…achoo” repeated over and over.
White Tern
Gygis alba
A medium-sized tern with entirely white plumage, a slightly forked tail, and glittering inky pools for eyes. The bill is black with a blue base. Graceful and buoyant in flight. Breeds in trees and both natural and artificial ledges on coral islands. Sometimes flies very high in pairs or trios. Often seen offshore from boats, though most frequently encountered foraging over inshore waters.
Gough Moorhen
Gallinula comeri
A medium-sized dark moorhen restricted to the Tristan da Cunha islands. Similar to Common Moorhen, which is a vagrant to the Tristan group, but stouter, with a black neck and underparts, no white on the flanks, and mostly red legs blotched with yellow (not all yellow as in Common). Juvenile has yellow legs but is flightless. Native to Gough Island and introduced on Tristan Island. Fairly common but somewhat secretive on both islands, preferring tussock grass and thickets below 500 meters of elevation. Calls include an electric rapid “cher-cher-chuk” and a soft “ek” in contact.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.