Long-billed wren (New Zealand) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long-billed wren |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dendroscansor
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| Species: |
decurvirostris
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The long-billed wren (Dendroscansor decurvirostris) was a special kind of New Zealand wren. It lived only on the South Island of New Zealand. This bird was the only species in its group, called Dendroscansor.
This wren was a small bird with strong legs and very tiny wings. It probably could not fly well, or maybe not at all. This is because it had a small sternum, which is the bone where flight muscles attach. It was similar to another extinct bird, Lyall's wren, which also couldn't fly. The long-billed wren weighed about 30 grams. This made it heavier than any New Zealand wren alive today. But it was lighter than the stout-legged wren, which is also extinct. A special feature of this bird was its long, curved bill. This was different from all other wrens in its family.
Contents
About the Long-billed Wren
What the Long-billed Wren Looked Like
The long-billed wren was a small bird. It had strong, sturdy legs. Its wings were very small, which meant it likely couldn't fly. This is because the bone in its chest, called the sternum, was not very big. A smaller sternum means weaker flight muscles.
This bird weighed about 30 grams. That's like a few pieces of candy! It was heavier than the wrens you can find in New Zealand today. But it was lighter than another extinct wren, the stout-legged wren. The most unique thing about the long-billed wren was its bill. It was long and curved, unlike any other wren.
Where the Long-billed Wren Lived
Scientists know about the long-billed wren from old bones. These bones are called subfossils. They have been found in four places in New Zealand. These places are in Northwest Nelson and Southland on the South Island. It seems this bird did not live on the North Island. It was also not found in the eastern part of the South Island.
The first bones of this bird were found in 1986. They were discovered in Moonsilver Cave, near Takaka. The long-billed wren is the rarest fossil wren found in New Zealand. This means it was probably not a very common bird when it was alive. Scientists think it lived in high places. These areas might have had shrubs or southern beech forests. The surviving New Zealand rock wren lives in similar high-altitude areas.
Why the Long-billed Wren Disappeared
The long-billed wren became extinct a long time ago. It disappeared before people from Europe arrived in New Zealand. It was one of the first native birds to die out. This happened after Polynesian rats, also called kiore, were brought to New Zealand.
Many New Zealand birds, like the long-billed wren, had no way to defend themselves. They had never met predators like rats before. These new animals were a big danger to them. The wrens were not used to such threats, which made them easy prey.
