Guadalupe wren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guadalupe wren |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Troglodytidae |
| Genus: | Thryomanes |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
T. b. brevicauda
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| Trinomial name | |
| Thryomanes bewickii brevicauda (Ridgway, 1876)
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The Guadalupe wren was a small bird that lived only on Guadalupe Island. This island is located off the coast of Baja California in Mexico. The Guadalupe wren was a special type, or subspecies, of the Bewick's wren. Sadly, this bird has not been seen since 1897. Scientists believe it might be extinct, meaning there are no more left in the world.
Contents
What Was the Guadalupe Wren Like?
A Unique Subspecies
A scientist named Robert Ridgway first described the Guadalupe wren in 1876. He thought it was a separate species at first. Later, it was classified as a subspecies of the Bewick's wren. Its scientific name is Thryomanes bewickii brevicauda.
Appearance and Differences
The Guadalupe wren looked a lot like other Bewick's wrens found on the mainland. However, it had a few key differences. It was a bit smaller in size. Its tail was shorter, and its bill, or beak, was longer. The stripes on its tail were also narrower.
Life and Habits
What Did It Eat?
Scientists do not know much about what the Guadalupe wren ate. One bird that was studied had two insects in its stomach. Another had an insect and some pine seeds. This suggests they probably ate insects. They likely looked for food in the scrubby plants on the island.
Behavior and Nesting
The Guadalupe wren was known to be a shy bird. However, it was also very active. It would quickly move among the thick branches of fallen trees. No one has ever found a nest of the Guadalupe wren. This means we do not know what their eggs looked like.
Why Did It Disappear?
The Mystery of Extinction
The last time anyone saw a Guadalupe wren alive was in 1897. A researcher named Henry Kaeding saw them then. The exact reason for their disappearance is not fully clear. However, most scientists believe it was due to new animals brought to the island.
Threats from New Animals
Goats were brought to Guadalupe Island. These goats ate many of the plants that the wrens relied on for food and shelter. For example, they ate a lot of sagebrush. Cats were also brought to the island. These cats may have hunted and eaten the wrens.
Other Possible Causes
It is also possible that collecting specimens played a small role. Scientists sometimes collect animals for study. The last known Guadalupe wrens were seen living in Monterey pine trees. These trees were located on the northern ridge of Guadalupe Island.
