Alternative name: Northern Nightingale-Wren
- Microcerculus philomela
Identification
10-11 cm in length and weigh 18 g. Dark black markings, usually scaling on grey breast and throat, black wings. There are a lighter spots on the wing coverts. Black bill and black legs.
Distribution
Mexico through to Costa Rica.
Taxonomy
Until recently, Microcerculus philomela was considered a subspecies of Microcerculus marginatus, which is located immediately south of the range of M. philomela. They were all lumped, along with Microcerculus luscina, under the name nightingale wren. Their geographic differences, along with distinct differences in song and physical traits have separated the groups. They are sometimes referred to as Northern and Southern nightingale wrens, respectively. This division is likely the beginning of speciation in this group of very closely related birds.
Habitat
Moist thick evergreen forests.
Behaviour
They nest on the floor of forests in the dirt, 2-3 eggs are laid and incubated for 19-20 days.
Diet includes insects, arachnids, and other small forest invertabrates.
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
