Canyon Wren
Catherpes mexicanus
Subtly beautiful wren found in picturesque canyonlands and rocky outcroppings of the western U.S. and Mexico. Exceptional songster most often located by rich cascading song, or harsh call notes. Rich orangey-brown body with tiny black-and-white spots, bright white throat, and thin decurved bill. Most similar to Rock Wren; note more contrasting white throat. Almost always on the ground or cliffs, running up and down rocks, repeatedly disappearing from view only to suddenly pop up atop a lookout. Feeds on insects. Nests in crevice or under ledge on cliff.
Taxonomy
The taxonomy of the species has been altered and debated for many years, with from three to eleven subspecies being proposed at various times. Generally, three subspecies are recognized. Originally in the genus Thryothorus, it was moved into the genus Salpinctes along with the rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), where some researchers still place it; however, generally, now, the species is in the only species in the genus Catherpes.<p>The three generally recognized subspecies are:<p>These subspecies are distinguished by the bill of C. m. albifrons which is generally longer than that of C. m. mexicanus, and its plumage paler, with upperparts more grayish brown, with narrower black bars on tail. In C. m. conspersus the plumage is paler and it is smaller than C. m. mexicanus.
- Scientific name
- Catherpes mexicanus
- Authority
- (Swainson, 1829)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Troglodytidae
- Genus
- Catherpes
Range and habitat
Resident, although individuals may make short seasonal movements. It ranges from southern British Columbia in the Okanagan Valley and western and southern Idaho and southern Montana south through central Wyoming, Colorado throughout much of Mexico south to western Chiapas. It occurs east to southwest Oklahoma and in the Edwards Plateau of west-central Texas. Disjunct populations occur in the Black Hills of southwest South Dakota, northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana. During the winter season the distribution is generally the same; however, concentrations may occur in the Chihuahuan Desert of southwest Texas. Similar to the rock wren in habitat, the canyon wren prefers steeper rocky environments, particularly in arid landscapes and deep canyons and terrain (sometimes including buildings, woodpiles, and rock fences). This species regularly uses riparian areas for foraging and has bred away from rocky substrate.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
It feeds on insects and spiders by probing into crevices with its long bill. Its coloration is rustier than that of the rock wren, with a contrasting white throat and breast. The canyon wren is more often heard than seen, and its falling series of whistles is one of the more familiar bird calls of the canyons of the western United States.<p>It builds a cup nest out of twigs and other vegetation in a rock crevice. It lays 4 to 6 eggs, white with reddish brown and gray speckles.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-eared Solitaire
Entomodestes leucotis
Beautiful, boldly patterned bird of montane forest. Reddish brown above, black below, with a black head, broad white mustache, and coral red bill. Perches upright in the mid-story and canopy of humid forest and forest edge. Listen for its distinctive song, an even-pitched, rusty wheeze “zzeee,” repeated every 10-20 seconds.
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
Uniform medium-brown above from head to tail. Distinctive pale, buffy eyering and face separates Swainson's from other thrushes. Spots are concentrated and clearly defined on upper breast, becoming smudgier towards belly. Breeds in the boreal forest. Migrates to South America for winter; very rare in the U.S. after October, unlike Hermit Thrush. Its song is flute-like, ascending spiral like Veery in reverse.
Sharp-billed Treehunter
Heliobletus contaminatus
Small foliage-gleaner with a short pointed bill and long tail. Found in the canopy of montane forests including Araucaria forests where it acrobatically gleans epiphytic vegetation. Dark-brown on the back with a buffy-yellow eyebrow and collar, a heavily streaked breast, and a rufous tail. Usually follows mixed-species flocks. The song is a sharp, high rattle.
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