Rufous-backed Wren
Campylorhynchus capistratus
Widespread but often local large wren with pronounced geographic variation in appearance. Usually in small groups, less often in pairs. Mainly found in thorn forest and dry scrubby habitats, but also sometimes in more humid scrub and semiopen areas. All populations have boldly barred wings and tail and bright rusty nape patch. On coastal slope of Chiapas compare to Giant Wren, but note the general lack of barring and larger size of that species. Often detected by its marvelous loud song, which consists of various bubbly, whistled, nasal, or harsh notes and is often given by multiple birds at once.
Identification
The adult rufous-backed wren is 17 cm (6.7 in) long and weighs 29 to 42 g (1.0 to 1.5 oz). There is some variation among the subspecies but generally they have a black crown and eyestripe separated by a white supercilium, a rufous nape, and cinnamon to chestnut upperparts streaked with black and white, especially on the rump. The wings and tail are barred with black and grayish-white. The underparts are white. Young birds have duller upperparts and buff underparts.
Taxonomy
What is now the rufous-backed wren was previously treated as six of the 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 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. <p>The six subspecies of rufous-backed wren accepted by the IOC are:<p>The last of these has not been accepted by the Clements taxonomy.
- Scientific name
- Campylorhynchus capistratus
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1842)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Troglodytidae
- Genus
- Campylorhynchus
Range and habitat
The six subspecies of rufous-backed wren are found thus:<p>This large wren occurs in lowlands and foothills from sea level up to 800 m (2,600 ft) elevation in Costa Rica and as high as 1,400 m (4,600 ft) in El Salvador. It inhabits dry forest or open woodland, scrub, second growth and savanna, mainly on the Pacific side of the central mountain ranges.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The rufous-backed wren forages actively in low vegetation for insects and other invertebrates, in pairs or family groups. They have adapted to live near humans and sometimes take table scraps. When attempting to consume prey, they may thrash it around with their beak before eating.<p>The rufous-backed wren's spherical nest has a side entrance and is lined with seed down. It is constructed 1.5 to 8 m (4.9–26.2 ft) high in thorny trees or shrubs, especially bull's-horn acacia. This species sometimes nests close to the nests of wasps and there is experimental evidence that those that do so are afforded substantial protection from predation. The female alone incubates the three to five brown- or black-spotted, white or greenish eggs for about two weeks until hatching, and the young fledge after about the same length of time again. After breeding, families sleep together in dormitory nests like those used for breeding.<p>The rufous-backed wren's songs vary somewhat among subspecies but the basic structure is "melodic, pure-tone syllables with multiple frequency changes combined into phrases." An example from Costa Rica is [1]. One from Mexico is [2]. Its calls have great variety even within each subspecies; examples include [3], [4], and [5].
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Myiotheretes pernix
Scarce flycatcher found only at higher elevations in Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains. Quite similar to the more widespread Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, but can be distinguished by the indistinct and less extensive streaking on the throat and lack of cinnamon at the base of the underside of the tail; whistled calls are shorter, clearer, and descend more in pitch. Usually seen perched high in the canopy of cloud forest. Regularly encountered in the upper parts of El Dorado Nature Reserve.
Short-tailed Parrot
Graydidascalus brachyurus
Medium-sized, uniformly bright green parrot with a short tail. Note the indistinct black eye-line, the dusky bill, and the darker green flight feathers; other parrots have more colorful plumage and longer tails. Inhabits seasonally flooded forest along large rivers, occasionally venturing into adjacent urban areas.
Mountain Elaenia
Elaenia frantzii
Unobtrusive and easily overlooked flycatcher of highlands in Central America; recently found in northern Chiapas. Occurs mainly at forest edge and in overgrown scrubby areas with trees and fruiting bushes. Perches quietly and fairly upright, sallying out to pluck berries. Note the overall drab plumage, rounded head (lacks distinct crest of larger and bulkier Yellow-bellied Elaenia), whitish eyering, and big whitish edges to the tertials.
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