Chattering gnatwren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chattering gnatwren |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Ramphocaenus
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| Species: |
sticturus
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The chattering gnatwren (Ramphocaenus sticturus) is a small bird found in parts of South America. It lives in countries like Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. This bird is part of the gnatcatcher family, known for catching tiny insects.
Contents
About the Chattering Gnatwren
How Scientists Classify This Bird
For a long time, the chattering gnatwren was thought to be a type of trilling gnatwren. But in 2018, scientists did a special study using genetics. They found that the chattering gnatwren is actually its own unique species. This means it's different enough to have its own separate name.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the chattering gnatwren:
- R. s. sticturus (discovered by Hellmayr in 1902)
- R. s. obscurus (discovered by Zimmer in 1931)
What Does This Bird Look Like?
The chattering gnatwren is a small bird, usually about 12 to 13 centimeters (about 5 inches) long. It weighs around 8 to 11 grams, which is about as light as a few paper clips!
The main type of chattering gnatwren (R. s. sticturus) has brown feathers on its back and a dark, blackish tail. It has a light, buff-colored stripe above its eye. Its cheeks are a pale cinnamon color, blending into yellowish-buff on the sides of its neck. The feathers on its belly are buffy, with a hint of cinnamon on its sides.
The other subspecies, R. s. obscurus, looks a bit darker. It has an ochre (yellowish-brown) tint on the sides of its head, chest, and sides.
Where Do Chattering Gnatwrens Live?
The obscurus subspecies of the chattering gnatwren lives in northern Peru. From there, it spreads south and east into the La Paz Department in Bolivia.
The other subspecies, R. s. sticturus, is found only in the Mato Grosso state in west-central Brazil.
These birds like to live in the thick plants and bushes found in forests. They prefer moist forests, including old-growth forests and forests that have grown back.
How Do Chattering Gnatwrens Behave?
What Do Chattering Gnatwrens Eat?
Scientists haven't studied the chattering gnatwren's diet by itself yet. However, we know that gnatwrens in general love to eat small bugs and spiders. They actively search for food from close to the ground up to the middle parts of the forest.
They might hunt for food alone, with a partner, or sometimes even join a group of different bird species looking for food together.
Do We Know About Their Breeding?
Not much is known specifically about how chattering gnatwrens raise their young. Scientists are still learning about their breeding habits.
What Sounds Do They Make?
You can listen to the sounds the chattering gnatwren makes online! Here are some examples of their calls: [1] and [2].
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is an organization that checks on how safe different animal species are. They haven't yet looked at the chattering gnatwren as a separate species. For now, its status is still grouped with the trilling gnatwren.
See also
In Spanish: Soterillo parloteador para niños
