Wren-like Rushbird

Overview

The wren-like rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops) is a small bird in the ovenbird family Furnariidae that is the only member of its genus. It is found across parts of South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, where it is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• A small furnariid measuring 13 to 14 cm in length, featuring a longish, slightly decurved bill.
• Plumage closely resembles the marsh wren, with a blackish crown and back marked by rich brown streaks and obvious white feather shafts.
• Underparts include a white throat, buffy whitish breast and belly, and dull brown sides, while wing coverts display wide chestnut tips.
• Song is described as a repeated mechanical ticking lasting for minutes, often ending in a cicada-like trill, or sounding like an idling motor.

Habitat

This species inhabits freshwater and brackish marshes, lake edges, and areas with emergent aquatic vegetation, with a particular preference for beds of Scirpus sedges. Its range extends from sea level up to 4,300 m in elevation, covering coastal and Andean regions of South America.

Did you know?

This bird constructs a ball-shaped nest made of wet grass and fibers cemented with mud, attaching it to reeds or shrub stems near the water with a side entrance that often features an overhanging 'awning'.