Plain-tailed Wren

Pheugopedius euophrys

Least ConcernRareInvertebratesForestDomed nestSmall · 30 g

About the Plain-tailed Wren

The plain-tailed wren is a species of songbird in the family Troglodytidae. It has a mostly rufous body with a gray, black, and white striped head. It is found in the Andes of southern Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Plain-tailed wrens are so-called bamboo specialists and live almost exclusively in chusquea bamboo thickets. Like other wrens, its diet consists mainly of insects with some seeds and berries.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

Voice: The plain-tailed wren sings a rolling, repetitive song. Singing pairs of plain-tailed wrens coordinate such that the duets between males and females alternate syllables so quickly it sounds as if a single bird is singing. Research finds the brains of both birds process the entire duet, not just each bird's own contribution.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Plain-tailed Wren sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia.

When to see it

Peak activity in December · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Plain-tailed Wren for real

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