Bar-winged Wood Wren

Overview

The bar-winged wood wren is a small, monotypic bird species found in the Andes of South America. Assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, it is noted for having a small geographic range and specialized habitat requirements, yet it is described as fairly common in Ecuador and plentiful in Peru.

Identification

• Approximately 11 cm long with light gray-brown to dusky brown upperparts and reddish-brown lower back and rump.
• Distinctive folded wing displaying two prominent white bars formed by the tips of the coverts.
• Head features include a wide white supercilium, broken white eye ring, black patch behind the eye, and black-and-white streaked cheeks.
• Song consists of a mellow, whistled warbling phrase, often performed as a duet, accompanied by calls described as a 'dry tchut' and a 'squeaky wink'.

Habitat

Found on the eastern slopes of the Andes in southeastern Ecuador and northern Peru, the species inhabits the understory of elfin forest. Elevation ranges between 1,700 and 1,950 m in Ecuador and 1,350 and 2,600 m in Peru.

Diet

The species is known to be insectivorous and forages on and near the ground, where it makes short flights while probing and gleaning vegetation for prey.

Did you know?

Virtually nothing is known about the bird's breeding phenology, though a juvenile was once collected in July.