Grey-mantled wren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grey-mantled wren |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Odontorchilus
|
| Species: |
branickii
|
 |
|
The grey-mantled wren (Odontorchilus branickii) is a small bird that belongs to the Troglodytidae family, which includes wrens. You can find this bird in parts of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Contents
About the Grey-Mantled Wren
The grey-mantled wren is closely related to another bird called the tooth-billed wren (Odontorchilus cinereous). Some scientists think they might be the same species or part of a very similar group. There are two main types, or subspecies, of the grey-mantled wren: Odontorchilus branickii branickii and O. b. minor.
What Does the Grey-Mantled Wren Look Like?
This wren is about 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long. That's roughly the length of a pen! A male O. b. minor can weigh around 9.0 g (0.32 oz), and a female O. b. branickii about 10.2 g (0.36 oz).
Adult grey-mantled wrens have a light brown color on the front of their head. This blends into a darker brown on top of their head, which then turns gray on their back. Their lower back is a bit browner. Their tail is medium gray with clear black stripes and a white stripe near the end. They have a faint grayish-brown stripe above their eye. Their face and neck sides are also grayish-brown. Their throat, chest, and belly are white with a slight yellowish tint. Their sides are grayish.
The O. b. minor subspecies looks similar. However, the black stripes on its central tail feathers are not as strong. Young wrens have a more yellowish wash on their chest than adults, but otherwise look much the same.
Where Does the Grey-Mantled Wren Live?
The grey-mantled wren lives in different areas across South America. The O. b. branickii subspecies is found in parts of Colombia's Eastern Andes mountains. It also lives on the eastern side of the main Andes mountains through Ecuador and Peru, all the way to Bolivia's La Paz Department.
These birds prefer to live at certain heights in the mountains.
- In Colombia, they are found from 1,200 to 2,300 m (3,900 to 7,500 ft) high.
- In Ecuador, they live from 1,100 to 1,900 m (3,600 to 6,200 ft) high.
- In Peru, their range is from 750 to 1,800 m (2,460 to 5,910 ft) high.
- In Bolivia, they are found from 1,200 to 1,700 m (3,900 to 5,600 ft) high.
The O. b. minor subspecies lives on the western side of Colombia's Western Andes and in northern Ecuador. These birds usually live at lower elevations, mostly between 200 and 500 m (660 and 1,640 ft). Some can even be found as low as 100 m (330 ft). Both types of wrens live in the upper parts of humid montane forests, which are forests found in mountainous regions.
How Does the Grey-Mantled Wren Behave?
Feeding Habits
We don't know all the details about what the grey-mantled wren eats. But we do know it is an insectivore, meaning it eats insects. It looks for food high up in the trees, usually 15 to 30 m (49 to 98 ft) off the ground. It moves constantly along branches, poking into moss and lichens to find its prey. This wren often joins mixed-species foraging flocks, which are groups of different bird species hunting for food together.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists have not yet found or studied the nests or eggs of the grey-mantled wren. However, its relative, the tooth-billed wren, is thought to build its nests inside tree cavities. This suggests that the grey-mantled wren might do the same.
Vocalization and Songs
The grey-mantled wren has a unique song. Its typical song is described as "a short dry trill." It also sings "a series of whistled notes," which are like short, clear tunes.
What is the Grey-Mantled Wren's Status?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has evaluated the grey-mantled wren. They have listed it as a species of "Least Concern." This means it's not currently considered to be in danger of extinction. However, many people who study these birds think it is "uncommon or even rare." Its population is also thought to be decreasing.
