Wren-like Rushbird
Phleocryptes melanops
The Wren-like Rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops) is a uncommon ovenbirds and woodcreeper found in 7 countries, weighing about 15 g. The wren-like rushbird is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae.
About the Wren-like Rushbird
The wren-like rushbird is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The wren-like rushbird is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long and weighs 11 to 16 g (0.39 to 0.56 oz). It is a small furnariid whose plumage closely resembles that of the wholly unrelated marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris). It has a longish slightly decurved bill. The sexes' plumages are essentially alike though females are slightly paler than males. Adults of the nominate subspecies P. m. melanops have a wide buff supercilium, grayish lores, a dark brown band behind the eye, mottled dark brown ear coverts, and a buff malar area. Their crown is blackish with wide brown streaks. Voice: In much of its range, the wren-like rushbird's song is a "repeated mechanical ticking, repeated several times per second, sometimes for several minutes, often ending with trill like that of cicada". One author describes it as sounding "like an idling motor, with the throttle occasionally opened". The song of the Andean population is "similar but with more strident tones".
Where it lives
When to see it
The Wren-like Rushbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Wren-like Rushbird?
- The wren-like rushbird is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long and weighs 11 to 16 g (0.39 to 0.56 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Wren-like Rushbird?
- The Wren-like Rushbird is a tiny sized bird weighing about 15 g.
- Where can you see a Wren-like Rushbird?
- The Wren-like Rushbird occurs in 7 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Brazil.
- What birds look similar to a Wren-like Rushbird?
- The Wren-like Rushbird is most easily confused with the Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, the Sooty-fronted Spinetail and the Pale-legged Hornero.
- Is the Wren-like Rushbird endangered?
- The Wren-like Rushbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Wren-like Rushbird for real
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