Sooty-headed Wren

The Sooty-headed Wren, a small bird with a length of approximately 14.5 cm, is adorned with a crown, shoulders, and back of a dull blackish hue, while its rump boasts a vibrant chestnut color. The tail is similarly chestnut but with striking black bars. The face features a black base with white streaks, and the chin and throat are black, creating a stark contrast with the bright chestnut of the lower throat and chest. The belly presents a more subdued grayish brown, flanked by reddish brown sides. Juveniles are less vivid than adults and exhibit less contrast in their coloration.

Identification Tips

Adults of the species can be identified by their blackish upper parts and the bright chestnut on their rump and lower throat. The black and white streaked face and barred tail are also distinctive. The subspecies P. s. xerampelinus is paler and has less reddish brown on the flanks compared to the nominate.

Habitat

The Sooty-headed Wren is a denizen of the interior and edges of humid forests, cloud forests, and dense secondary growth, with a particular affinity for areas rich in moss.

Distribution

This species is native to Colombia and Panama. In Colombia, it is found from the southern Chocó Department to Nariño Department and eastward into the central Magdalena Valley and some isolated mountain ranges. The subspecies P. s. xerampelinus inhabits the Pacific slope of Panama's Darién Province.

Behaviour

Typically foraging in pairs, the Sooty-headed Wren prefers to stay low in the vegetation and does not often join mixed-species flocks. It has been known to follow army ant swarms.

Song & calls

Both male and female Sooty-headed Wrens vocalize with a series of gurgling whistles, a delightful auditory signature of the species.

Breeding

While detailed information on their breeding habits is sparse, it is known that their breeding season may extend from March to December. Their nests are spherical constructions with a side entrance, woven from coarse materials and leaves.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Sooty-headed Wren consists mostly, if not entirely, of invertebrates, including spiders and both adult and larval insects.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Sooty-headed Wren as Least Concern, noting that the species is fairly common within its suitable habitat in Colombia.