St. Lucia Wren

Troglodytes mesoleucus

Small brownish wren found only on St. Lucia. Drab brown above and white below, with a faint eyebrow, and dark barring on the wings and tail. Generally more arboreal than mainland “House Wrens”, occurring in dense brushy woodland throughout the island. Often perches conspicuously when singing, but otherwise fairly secretive. Listen for loud song of chatters and clearer trills, as well as harsh scolding calls.

Identification

The St. Lucia wren (Troglodytes mesoleucus) is a very small passerine bird in the wren family Troglodytidae that is found on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. The name troglodytes means "hole dweller", and is a reference to the bird's tendency to disappear into crevices when hunting insects or to seek shelter. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the house wren, now renamed the northern house wren (Troglodytes aedon).

Taxonomy

Genus: Troglodytes; Family: Troglodytidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Troglodytes mesoleucus
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Troglodytidae
Genus
Troglodytes

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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Barred Puffbird

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Mali Firefinch

Mali Firefinch

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A small brown and reddish waxbill with a blue-gray bill and black under the tail. There are usually a few white spots along the shoulder, but these are sometimes lacking. Found locally in dry, rocky habitat with grass and bushes. Usually in pairs or small groups. Extremely similar to African Firefinch, but duller overall, with more red on the forehead and fewer white spots on the shoulders. Also similar to Red-billed and Bar-breasted Firefinches, but shows black under the tail. Calls include a short dry trill, a high “veet” note, and a long, lower “feeeu” note. Quiet song is a mix of low trills and higher-pitched whines and whistles. 

Black Sittella

Black Sittella

Daphoenositta miranda

A small, rare nuthatchlike bird of upper montane forest canopy. Uniform blackish plumage with pink under the end of the tail, a red face, yellow legs and a white band in the wing, visible in flight. Female has a white iris. Moves in flocks. Similar shape and habits to Papuan Sittella, but Black lives at higher elevations with little overlap. Only the juvenile coloration could be confused, but Papuan Sitella has a paler belly. Voice, a high-pitch twittering.

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