Rufous-and-white Wren

Overview

The rufous-and-white wren (Thryophilus rufalbus) is a small songbird belonging to the wren family. It is a resident breeding species found from southwesternmost Mexico through northern Colombia and into northwestern Venezuela.

Identification

• Measures 14–15 cm in length and weighs 22–25 g.
• Features chestnut brown upperparts with a darker crown, a strong white supercilium, brown eye-stripe, and black cheek streaking.
• Underparts are white with black barring on the lower belly and brown flanks, while wings and tail are barred with black.
• Song consists of a melodious sequence of slow hooting whistles, such as 'weee, boo, boo, booo, boo, whit', with pairs sometimes duetting.

Habitat

Breeds in lowlands and foothills ranging from sea level up to 1,500 m altitude in dry forests or open scrubby woodland in wetter areas. In Central America, it occurs mainly on the Pacific side of the central mountain ranges.

Diet

Forages actively in low vegetation or on the ground, typically in pairs. Its diet mainly consists of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates.

Did you know?

During food shortages driven by El Niño events, rufous-and-white wrens have been observed killing southern house wren nestlings, possibly to reduce competition for resources.