Long-billed Wren

Overview

The long-billed wren (Cantorchilus longirostris) is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae that is endemic to Brazil. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is frequently abundant in its range.

Identification

• Measures 19 to 21.5 cm in length with a weight of 20 to 21 g.
• Adults of the nominate subspecies feature a rich dark brown crown and nape that become reddish towards the rump, with a reddish-brown tail bearing darker bars.
• Facial markings include an off-white supercilium, a darkish brown eyestripe, mottled cheeks, and a blackish malar stripe.
• The nominate subspecies has a reddish buff chest and deep rich buff belly, while the C. l. bahiae subspecies is paler overall with less saturated underparts.

Habitat

This species inhabits secondary forest, the edges and shrubby clearings of primary forest, mangroves, caatinga, and restinga across elevations from sea level to 900 m. It is found in the 'bulge' of eastern Brazil, with the C. l. bahiae subspecies ranging from Piauí to Minas Gerais and the Atlantic coast, while the nominate subspecies occupies a coastal band from Bahia to eastern Santa Catarina.

Diet

The specific diet and detailed foraging habits of the long-billed wren are not well known, though it probably forages singly or in pairs. Foraging usually occurs within 2 m of the ground, but sometimes as high as 5 m.

Did you know?

Both sexes sing in a style that is loud and varied, sometimes performing alone and other times in duet. The species also constructs 'dormitory' nests for roosting, in addition to its breeding nests which are domes with downward-facing entrance tubes.