Grey-breasted Wood Wren

Overview

The grey-breasted wood wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is assessed as being of Least Concern by the IUCN and is common or abundant in many habitats. While it has a discontinuous range from Mexico to Bolivia, the taxonomy of its subspecies remains unsettled, with some suggesting up to 35 distinct lineages.

Identification

• Measures 10 to 11.5 cm in length and weighs between 13.5 and 17.7 g in the nominate subspecies.
• Features dull black crown feathers with dark brown tips, a dark olive brown nape and shoulders, and a chestnut brown lower back, rump, and tail.
• Distinctive head markings include a long gray-white supercilium, a wide black stripe behind the eye, and black cheeks streaked with pale gray.
• Possesses a pale gray chin and throat, a darker gray chest and belly, and dark buff sides and lower flanks.

Habitat

It inhabits humid montane forests of many types across a discontinuous range from east-central and west-central Mexico, through Central America, to Venezuela and central Bolivia. Typically found above 1,500 m in elevation, it occurs as low as 400 m in Colombia and as high as 3,000 m in Venezuela and Colombia.

Diet

The diet appears to consist solely of invertebrates. It forages singly or in small groups from the ground up to 2 m in vegetation. It has been observed following army ant swarms in Costa Rica, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Did you know?

The bird is far more commonly heard than seen, singing virtually year-round and throughout the day in all types of weather. Its songs are described as a series of very loud, ringing, and energetic musical phrases that are frequently repeated.