Banded wren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banded wren |
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| In Chiapas, Mexico | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thryophilus
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| Species: |
pleurostictus
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The banded wren (Thryophilus pleurostictus) is a small songbird that belongs to the wren family. These birds live in Central America, from central Mexico all the way to Costa Rica. They stay in these areas all year round.
Contents
Where Banded Wrens Live
Banded wrens prefer to live in warm, low-lying areas and foothills. You can find them from sea level up to about 800 meters (2,600 feet) high. They like open woodlands or areas with lots of bushes and shrubs. This includes clearings in forests and places where new trees are growing after old ones were cut down. You'll mostly see them on the Pacific side of the central mountain ranges.
Nesting Habits
Banded wrens build interesting nests that look like a flask. Their nests have a long entrance tube that points downwards. They line the inside with soft, fine grasses to make it cozy.
These nests are usually built about 1 to 2.5 meters (3 to 8 feet) off the ground. They often choose a thorny tree or shrub to build in. Sometimes, they even build their nests close to a wasp nest! This might help protect their eggs from predators.
Eggs and Young Birds
The female banded wren is the one who sits on the eggs. She lays three or four eggs, which are either plain white or a pale greenish-blue color. She incubates them for about two weeks until they hatch. After hatching, the young birds stay in the nest for about another two weeks before they are ready to fly.
What Banded Wrens Look Like
An adult banded wren is about 13.5 centimeters (5.3 inches) long. They weigh around 20 grams (0.7 ounces), which is about the same as a few quarters.
They have chestnut brown feathers on their upper body. You can easily spot them by the strong white stripe above each eye, called a supercilium. They also have a brown stripe that goes through their eye and black streaks on their white cheeks.
Their belly is white, but the lower part of their belly and sides have many black bars, which gives them their "banded" name. Their wings and tail also have black bars. Young banded wrens look a bit duller than the adults. Their upper parts are not as bright, and their white undersides might have faint brownish spots.
Sounds and Songs
Banded wrens make a few different sounds. One call is a nasal cherrrt. They also make a rattling sound that goes kert rrruk kert rrruk.
Their song is quite beautiful and complex. It's a mix of clear whistles and musical trills, making it a very melodious sound.
What Banded Wrens Eat
Banded wrens are very active birds. They usually search for food in low plants or sometimes on the ground. They often forage in pairs or small family groups. Their diet mainly consists of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
