Grass Wren

Overview

The grass wren (Cistothorus platensis) is a species of passerine bird in the family Troglodytidae that is widely distributed across central and southern America. It was previously considered conspecific with the sedge wren but was split into a separate species following molecular phylogenetic studies. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the species as being of Least Concern.

Identification

• A small bird measuring 10 to 10.5 cm (3.9 to 4.1 in) in length.
• Upperparts are buffy brown with black and buffy whitish streaks on the back.
• Wings and tail feature dusky bands.
• Underparts are mostly buffy.
• Song consists of a series of short, high notes including high rattles, sharp trills, sparrowlike 'tr-tr-tr-tr', and nasal 'zèzèzèzè'.

Habitat

The grass wren is found discontinuously from central Mexico south through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua into Costa Rica, in every mainland South American country except French Guiana and Suriname, and in the Falkland Islands. In Colombia and Ecuador, it inhabits moist grassy and sedgy parts of paramo, clearings, agricultural areas, and interandean valleys, while in Brazil it occupies cerrado, grassland, and marshes.

Did you know?

Grass wrens construct two types of non-breeding nest structures, including rudimentary platforms and dummy dome-shaped nests, which may serve as a mechanism for males to manipulate female mating decisions or to start reproduction earlier than optimal for the females.