Whiskered wren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whiskered wren |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pheugopedius
|
| Species: |
mystacalis
|
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Thryothorus mystacalis |
|
The whiskered wren (Pheugopedius mystacalis) is a small bird that belongs to the wren family, Troglodytidae. You can find this bird in parts of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. It gets its name from the dark stripes on its face that look a bit like whiskers!
Contents
About the Whiskered Wren
Long ago, scientists thought the whiskered wren was the same species as the moustached wren. But now, they know they are different birds. There are actually eight different types, or subspecies, of the whiskered wren. Each subspecies has small differences, like slightly different colors or markings.
What Does a Whiskered Wren Look Like?
The whiskered wren is about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) long. That's about the length of a regular pencil! One whiskered wren from Venezuela weighed about 29 grams (1 ounce), which is lighter than a small candy bar.
The main type of whiskered wren has a grayish-black top of its head. Its back and shoulders are a bright chestnut color. Its tail is reddish-brown with dark bars.
Look at its face! It has a grayish-white stripe above its eye, like an eyebrow. A black line goes right through its eye. Below that, its cheeks are blackish with a white line, and then another black stripe. Its chin and throat are off-white. The chest is gray, and its belly is a darker gray.
Other types of whiskered wrens have slight differences. For example, some might have a grayer chest or a slate-gray head. Others might have more buff colors on their face or no bars on their tail.
Where Do Whiskered Wrens Live?
Whiskered wrens live in different areas across South America. Each of the eight subspecies lives in a specific region:
- One type lives in the mountains of western Venezuela.
- Another type lives in northern Venezuela.
- Some are found in southwestern Venezuela.
- Others live in the West and Central Andes mountains of Colombia.
- You can find some in southwestern Colombia.
- The main type of whiskered wren lives in southern Colombia and western Ecuador.
- Another type is found on the eastern side of Colombia's Central Andes and western side of the Eastern Andes.
- The last type lives on the eastern side of Colombia's Eastern Andes.
These birds like to live in thick bushes and plants. They prefer the edges of humid forests or areas where trees are growing back after being cut down. They usually stay away from the deep forest. You can find them at elevations between 1,200 and 2,400 meters (about 3,900 to 7,900 feet) high. Sometimes, they are even higher, up to 2,800 meters (9,200 feet)! In Ecuador, they can be found almost at sea level.
Whiskered Wren Behavior
Whiskered wrens are interesting birds to watch. They have special ways of finding food and building their nests.
Feeding Habits
Whiskered wrens usually look for food in pairs. They search for food as high as 10 to 12 meters (about 33 to 39 feet) above the ground. Scientists haven't fully described what they eat, but like most wrens, they likely eat insects and other small creatures.
Reproduction and Nests
It seems that whiskered wrens have a long time for building nests and having babies. They have been seen building nests from December all the way to May. Their nests are quite unique! They build a large ball using roots and grass. The nest has an entrance on the side. They usually place these nests in the fork of a small tree or among ferns.
Whiskered Wren Songs
Both male and female whiskered wrens sing together in a duet. Their song is described as a "splendid series of loud gurgling whistles." It sounds very musical! They also have a call that is a deep, throaty "bong bong." You can listen to their songs online to hear how amazing they sound!
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has looked at the whiskered wren. They have decided that this bird is of "Least Concern." This means that the whiskered wren is not currently in danger of disappearing. It is quite common in many places where it lives. Also, you can find whiskered wrens in several protected areas, which helps keep their homes safe.
