About the Rufous-backed Wren
The rufous-backed wren is a songbird of the family Troglodytidae. It is a resident breeding species from southwest Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The adult rufous-backed wren is 17 cm (6.7 in) long and weighs 29 to 42 g (1.0 to 1.5 oz). There is some variation among the subspecies but generally they have a black crown and eyestripe separated by a white supercilium, a rufous nape, and cinnamon to chestnut upperparts streaked with black and white, especially on the rump. The wings and tail are barred with black and grayish-white. The underparts are white. Young birds have duller upperparts and buff underparts. Voice: The rufous-backed wren's songs vary somewhat among subspecies but the basic structure is "melodic, pure-tone syllables with multiple frequency changes combined into phrases." An example from Costa Rica is . One from Mexico is . Its calls have great variety even within each subspecies; examples include , , and .
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Band-backed WrenCampylorhynchus zonatusThis large wren breeds in lowlands and foothills from sea level up to 1700 m altitude in thinned forest or open woodland, scrub, second growth and groves around houses.
Thrush-like WrenCampylorhynchus turdinusThe thrush-like wren is a South American species of bird in the family Troglodytidae, the wrens.
Bicolored WrenCampylorhynchus griseusThe bicolored wren is the largest South American wren and second in size only to the giant wren overall in the family.
Side by side: Cactus Wren vs Rufous-backed Wren · Band-backed Wren vs Rufous-backed Wren
Learn the Rufous-backed Wren for real
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