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Difference between revisions of "House Wren" - BirdForum Opus

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;[[: Category:Troglodytes|Troglodytes]] aedon
 
;[[: Category:Troglodytes|Troglodytes]] aedon
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
4 1/2 -5 1/4" (11-13 cm).  
+
Length 11.5-12.5 cm, weight 9-14 g.
*Tiny bird
+
*Small bird
 
*Short tail, often held cocked over the back
 
*Short tail, often held cocked over the back
 
*Dusky brown above
 
*Dusky brown above
 
*Paler below, with no distinctive markings
 
*Paler below, with no distinctive markings
 
===Similar Species===
 
===Similar Species===
[[Winter Wren]] is similar but smaller and darker, with shorter tail and pale eyebrow.
+
[[Winter Wren]] and [[Pacific Wren]] are similar but smaller and darker, with shorter tail and pale eyebrow.
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
As discussed below, there are four main groups within house wren, which may become full species. <br />
+
Throughout [[South America]] and the southern half of [[North America]]. As discussed below, there are four main groups within House Wren, which are treated as full species by some authorities<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>.
*Northern House Wren: breeds in much of the [[United States]] and southern parts of [[Canada]]; members of this groups are at least partly migratory.   
+
*Northern House Wren: breeds in much of the [[United States]] and southernmost parts of [[Canada]]; members of this groups are at least partly migratory.   
*Brown-throated Wren: mainly a [[Mexico|Mexican]] grouping, but also found in southern [[Arizona]].  
+
*Brown-throated Wren: mainly a [[Mexico|Mexican]] grouping, but also found in southeastern [[Arizona]] and southwestern [[New Mexico]].  
 
*Southern House Wren: much of [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]].
 
*Southern House Wren: much of [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]].
 
*Caribbean House Wren: several islands in the [[Lesser Antilles]] and Cozumel off [[Mexico]] (possibly even with one species per island).
 
*Caribbean House Wren: several islands in the [[Lesser Antilles]] and Cozumel off [[Mexico]] (possibly even with one species per island).
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
Clements<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup> accepts more than 30 subspecies of House Wren. There has been several rumblings about splitting this species into several species, with the approximate divisions given in the section on "Distribution" above. The taxonomic status of House Wren have been discussed elsewhere in Birdforum<sup>[[#References|3]]</sup> and there are indications that the northern group may need to be split into an eastern and western form.  
+
Clements<sup>[[#References|2]]</sup> accepts more than 30 subspecies of House Wren. There has been several suggestions about splitting this species into several species, with the approximate divisions given in the Distribution section above. The taxonomic status of House Wren have been discussed elsewhere in Birdforum<sup>[[#References|3]]</sup> and there are indications that the northern group may need to be split into an eastern and western form.  
  
[[Cobb's Wren]] was formerly included in this species.
+
[[Cobb's Wren]] and [[Clarion Wren]] were formerly included in this species; their current treatment as separate species leaves ''Troglodytes aedon'' [[Dictionary_P-S#S|sensu lato]] as very probably [[Dictionary_P-S#P|paraphyletic]].
 
====Subspecies====
 
====Subspecies====
'''Northern House Wren'''<br />
+
'''Northern House Wren''' (''Troglodytes aedon'' [[Dictionary_P-S#S|sensu stricto]], when treated as a species)<br />
 
*''T. a. parkmanii'': South-western [[Canada]] to central and western [[US]] and northern [[Baja California]]
 
*''T. a. parkmanii'': South-western [[Canada]] to central and western [[US]] and northern [[Baja California]]
 
*''T. a. aedon'': South-eastern [[Canada]] and eastern [[US]]
 
*''T. a. aedon'': South-eastern [[Canada]] and eastern [[US]]
 
*''T. a. baldwini'': South-central [[Canada]] to southern [[US]]
 
*''T. a. baldwini'': South-central [[Canada]] to southern [[US]]
 +
'''Brown-throated Wren''' (''Troglodytes brunneicollis'', when treated as a species)
 +
*''T. a. cahooni'': Mountains of south-eastern [[Arizona]] to central [[Mexico|Mexican]] plateau
 +
*''T. a. brunneicollis'': Central and southern [[Mexico]] (San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo to Oaxaca)
 +
*''T. a. compositus'': Mountains of eastern [[Mexico]] (Coahuila and Nuevo León to Puebla)
 +
*''T. a. nitidus'': Southern [[Mexico]] (Mount Zempoaltepec in Oaxaca)
 
''' Caribbean House Wren''' (possibly one species per island)
 
''' Caribbean House Wren''' (possibly one species per island)
 
*''T. a. rufescens'': [[Dominica]] ([[Lesser Antilles]])
 
*''T. a. rufescens'': [[Dominica]] ([[Lesser Antilles]])
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*''T. a. grenadensis'': [[Grenada]] ([[Lesser Antilles]])
 
*''T. a. grenadensis'': [[Grenada]] ([[Lesser Antilles]])
 
*''T. a. beani'':  Eastern [[Mexico]] (Cozumel Island off Quintana Roo)
 
*''T. a. beani'':  Eastern [[Mexico]] (Cozumel Island off Quintana Roo)
'''Brown-throated House Wren'''
+
'''Southern House Wren''' (''Troglodytes musculus'', when treated as a species)
*''T. a. cahooni'': Mountains of south-eastern [[Arizona]] to central [[Mexico|Mexican]] plateau
 
*''T. a. brunneicollis'': Central and southern [[Mexico]] (San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo to Oaxaca)
 
*''T. a. compositus'': Mountains of eastern [[Mexico]] (Coahuila and Nuevo León to Puebla)
 
*''T. a. nitidus'': Southern [[Mexico]] (Mount Zempoaltepec in Oaxaca)
 
'''Southern House Wren'''
 
 
*''T. a. intermedius'': Southern [[Mexico]] (south-eastern Oaxaca and eastern Tabasco) to [[Costa Rica]]
 
*''T. a. intermedius'': Southern [[Mexico]] (south-eastern Oaxaca and eastern Tabasco) to [[Costa Rica]]
 
*''T. a. inquietus'': Extreme southern [[Costa Rica]], [[Panama]] and Pearl Islands
 
*''T. a. inquietus'': Extreme southern [[Costa Rica]], [[Panama]] and Pearl Islands
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*''T. a. tecellatus'': Coastal southern [[Peru]] (Arequipa) to northern [[Chile]] (Tarapacá)
 
*''T. a. tecellatus'': Coastal southern [[Peru]] (Arequipa) to northern [[Chile]] (Tarapacá)
 
*''T. a. atacamensis'': Northern [[Chile]] (Antofagasta, Atacama and northern Coquimbo)
 
*''T. a. atacamensis'': Northern [[Chile]] (Antofagasta, Atacama and northern Coquimbo)
*''T. a. musculus'': Central and southern [[Brazil]] to eastern [[Paraguay]] and north-eastern [[Argentina]] (Misiones)
+
*''T. a. musculus'': Central and southern [[Brazil]] to eastern [[Paraguay]] and northeastern [[Argentina]] (Misiones)
*''T. a. bonariae'': Southern [[Brazil]], [[Uruguay]] and north-eastern [[Argentina]]
+
*''T. a. bonariae'': Southern [[Brazil]], [[Uruguay]] and northeastern [[Argentina]]
*''T. a.n chilensis'': Southern [[Chile]] and southern [[Argentina]] to Tierra del Fuego
+
*''T. a. chilensis'': Southern [[Chile]] and southern [[Argentina]] to Tierra del Fuego
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Residential areas, city parks, farmlands, and woodland edges.
 
Residential areas, city parks, farmlands, and woodland edges.
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''[[Media:House_Wren_Dom_by_NJLarsen.mp3‎|Listen in an external program]]''
 
''[[Media:House_Wren_Dom_by_NJLarsen.mp3‎|Listen in an external program]]''
  
<br />Recording by NJLarsen in [[Dominica]]. Bird is subspecies ''rufescens''<br /><br />
+
<br />Recording by NJLarsen in [[Dominica]]. Bird is subspecies ''T. a. rufescens''<br /><br />
  
 
<flashmp3>House_Wren_Costa_Rica_20101231_162906_gain_up.mp3‎</flashmp3><br />
 
<flashmp3>House_Wren_Costa_Rica_20101231_162906_gain_up.mp3‎</flashmp3><br />
 
''[[Media:House_Wren_Costa_Rica_20101231_162906_gain_up.mp3‎|Listen in an external program]]''
 
''[[Media:House_Wren_Costa_Rica_20101231_162906_gain_up.mp3‎|Listen in an external program]]''
  
<br />Recording by NJLarsen in Rancho Naturalista, [[Costa Rica]]. Bird is subspecies ''intermedius''
+
<br />Recording by NJLarsen in Rancho Naturalista, [[Costa Rica]]. Bird is subspecies ''T. a. intermedius''
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}#eNature
+
#{{Ref-HBWVol10}}#{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}#eNature
 
#Second half of this [http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=114503&highlight=Troglodytes+aedon thread] was mostly about House Wren taxonomy
 
#Second half of this [http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=114503&highlight=Troglodytes+aedon thread] was mostly about House Wren taxonomy
 
#[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=135446 Birdforum thread] discussing Cobb's Wren
 
#[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=135446 Birdforum thread] discussing Cobb's Wren

Revision as of 00:46, 31 December 2014

Juvenile
Photo by Muskrat
North-eastern Pennsylvania, USA
Troglodytes aedon

Identification

Length 11.5-12.5 cm, weight 9-14 g.

  • Small bird
  • Short tail, often held cocked over the back
  • Dusky brown above
  • Paler below, with no distinctive markings

Similar Species

Winter Wren and Pacific Wren are similar but smaller and darker, with shorter tail and pale eyebrow.

Distribution

Throughout South America and the southern half of North America. As discussed below, there are four main groups within House Wren, which are treated as full species by some authorities1.

  • Northern House Wren: breeds in much of the United States and southernmost parts of Canada; members of this groups are at least partly migratory.
  • Brown-throated Wren: mainly a Mexican grouping, but also found in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.
  • Southern House Wren: much of Central and South America.
  • Caribbean House Wren: several islands in the Lesser Antilles and Cozumel off Mexico (possibly even with one species per island).

Taxonomy

Clements2 accepts more than 30 subspecies of House Wren. There has been several suggestions about splitting this species into several species, with the approximate divisions given in the Distribution section above. The taxonomic status of House Wren have been discussed elsewhere in Birdforum3 and there are indications that the northern group may need to be split into an eastern and western form.

Cobb's Wren and Clarion Wren were formerly included in this species; their current treatment as separate species leaves Troglodytes aedon sensu lato as very probably paraphyletic.

Subspecies

Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon sensu stricto, when treated as a species)

Brown-throated Wren (Troglodytes brunneicollis, when treated as a species)

  • T. a. cahooni: Mountains of south-eastern Arizona to central Mexican plateau
  • T. a. brunneicollis: Central and southern Mexico (San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo to Oaxaca)
  • T. a. compositus: Mountains of eastern Mexico (Coahuila and Nuevo León to Puebla)
  • T. a. nitidus: Southern Mexico (Mount Zempoaltepec in Oaxaca)

Caribbean House Wren (possibly one species per island)

Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus, when treated as a species)

  • T. a. intermedius: Southern Mexico (south-eastern Oaxaca and eastern Tabasco) to Costa Rica
  • T. a. inquietus: Extreme southern Costa Rica, Panama and Pearl Islands
  • T. a. carychrous: Coiba Island (Panama)
  • T. a. clarus: Trinidad, the Guianas, Venezuela, Brazil, northern Peru, Colombia
  • T. a. atopus: Northern Colombia (Santa Marta region)
  • T. a. striatulus: Western and Central Andes of Colombia
  • T. a. columbae: Eastern Colombia and western Venezuela
  • T. a. albicans: South-Western Colombia and western Ecuador
  • T. a. tobagensis: Tobago
  • T. a. audax: Arid littoral of western Peru (Cajamarca to northern Ica)
  • T. a. puna: Puna of northern Peru to north-western Bolivia (La Paz)
  • T. a. rex: Central and eastern Bolivia
  • T. a. carabayae: Central and southern Peru (Junín, Cusco and Puno)
  • T. a. tecellatus: Coastal southern Peru (Arequipa) to northern Chile (Tarapacá)
  • T. a. atacamensis: Northern Chile (Antofagasta, Atacama and northern Coquimbo)
  • T. a. musculus: Central and southern Brazil to eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina (Misiones)
  • T. a. bonariae: Southern Brazil, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina
  • T. a. chilensis: Southern Chile and southern Argentina to Tierra del Fuego

Habitat

Residential areas, city parks, farmlands, and woodland edges.

Behaviour

Breeding

The nest is cup shaped, made of sticks, grass and lined with feathers. 5-8 white, brown-speckled eggs are laid.

Vocalisation

Song is very variable among the different populations, but normally relatively standard within each population. In the USA often first rising, then falling, and often described as having a bubbling quality.

<flashmp3>House_Wren_Dom_by_NJLarsen.mp3‎</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program


Recording by NJLarsen in Dominica. Bird is subspecies T. a. rufescens

<flashmp3>House_Wren_Costa_Rica_20101231_162906_gain_up.mp3‎</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program


Recording by NJLarsen in Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica. Bird is subspecies T. a. intermedius

References

  1. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and D Christie, eds. 2005. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 10: Cuckoo-Shrikes to Thrushes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334726
  2. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
  3. eNature
  4. Second half of this thread was mostly about House Wren taxonomy
  5. Birdforum thread discussing Cobb's Wren

Recommended Citation

External Links


This video link searches for House Wren using the Chilean local name of Chercán (Troglodytes aedon chilensis)

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