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WRENS (TROGLODYTIDAE; 22+ SPECIES) Mainly New World family of small

(most species) to medium-size (genus Campylorhynchus) songbirds known for loud, frequently

complex songs but visually elusive habits. Heard much more than seen, and many species best

detected (and identified) by voice; several species perform duets where members of a pair

contribute distinct elements to what sounds like a seamless song that could be thought to come

from one bird. All species have slender bills, barred wings and tail. Ages similar in some species,

different in others; attain adult appearance in 1st fall; sexes similar. Most species territorial,

paired year-round.

*COSTA RICAN [BAND-BACKED] WREN  Campylorhynchus [zonatus] costa­

ricensis 16–18cm. Large noisy wren of humid forest and edge, adjacent semi-

open areas with taller trees, forest patches. No similar species in Costa Rica;

note boldly banded upperparts, spotted breast, bright cinnamon flanks and

belly. Pairs or small groups forage mainly at mid–upper levels in trees,

clambering with agility along mossy branches, probing in bromeliads and

under loose bark. SOUNDS:  Rather fast-paced, rasping chatters, often with

excited or rollicking cadence; single gruff cheh and fast doubled cheh-heh.

STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on Caribbean slope, locally to 1700m.

(S. Nicaragua to nw. Panama.)

RUFOUS-BACKED [RUFOUS-NAPED] WREN  Campylorhynchus [rufinucha]

capistratus 16–18cm. Large, social, noisy, and typically conspicuous wren of

scrubby woodland and edge, ranchland with hedges. No similar species in Costa

Rica. In pairs or small groups, hopping and clambering low to high in bushes

and trees; often around buildings and in yards. Juv. duller overall, less sharply

marked than adult. SOUNDS: Varied chortling rhythmic songs of rich 3–6-syllable

phrases, such as whie-tee ti-ti-whi-chur, whie-tee ti-ti-whi-chur..., about 1

phrase/1–2 secs, typically repeated 3–8×. Nasal downslurred rasps, often in

fairly rapid series; low, grunting, overslurred rruh. STATUS: Fairly common to

common on n. Pacific Slope, to 1200m; range expanding s. and inland. (Mexico

to Costa Rica.)

BANDED WREN  Thryophilus pleurostictus 13–14cm. Handsome wren of

lowland dry forest and edge, locally in mangroves. Mainly at low to mid-levels,

often in fairly open situations. Adult distinctive, with white face and eyebrow,

bold blackish barring on sides and flanks. Juv. can be similar to well-marked juv.

Rufous-and-white Wren, but note weaker dark whisker, distinct dark flank bar­

ring. SOUNDS: Song unhurried, varied series of rich whistled phrases and trills,

often arresting and resonant, typically including a rapid staccato series, such as

teeeeu, ti, hoorrrr, whit-whit-whit-whit-whit-whit, wheet, 2–4 secs. Short, dry

staccato rattles, higher and quicker than Rufous-and-white Wren; low gruff

churh, at times alternated with low clipped whieh; nasal, raspy scolding chrih-chrih.…STATUS: Fairly

common to common on n. Pacific slope, to 900m. (Mexico to Costa Rica.)

RUFOUS-AND-WHITE WREN  Thryophilus rufalbus 14.5–15.5cm. Gallery

forest, open woodland, plantations, especially in more-humid areas; locally in

mangroves. Mainly at low to mid-levels in shady understory, often along streams.

Adult distinctive, a rather large and bulky ‘small wren’ with rusty upperparts,

striped face; best located by song. Juv. less strongly marked below than juv.

Banded Wren, with dark whisker. SOUNDS:  Song haunting, varied series of

mellow whistles and hollow quavers, starting or ending with 1 or more discrete

whistles, such as whu heee, hoohoohoohoohoohoohoohoo, hürrrr, 1.5–3 secs. Hard,

dry staccato rattles and chatters, at times given steadily, lower and slower than

Banded Wren; hollow moaning ooah; hard dry tek, often in short series. STATUS: Fairly common on n.

Pacific slope and locally in interior valleys of s. Pacific slope, to 1400m. (Mexico to n. S America.)