White-breasted Wood Wren

The White-breasted Wood Wren, Henicorhina leucosticta, is a diminutive member of the wren family, measuring a mere 10 centimeters in length and tipping the scales at 16 grams. This bird is adorned with chestnut brown upperparts, a darker crown, and pale supercilia. The sides of its head and neck are a tapestry of black and white streaks, while its underparts are a pristine white, transitioning to a buff hue on the lower belly. Its wings and abbreviated tail are marked with black bars. The juveniles are somewhat less vivid, with duller upperparts and grey underparts.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify this species, look for the distinctive chestnut brown upperparts, the contrasting darker crown, and the pale supercilia. The black-and-white streaking on the head and neck, along with the barred wings and tail, are also key characteristics. The white underparts that become buff on the lower belly can help distinguish it from similar species.

Habitat

The White-breasted Wood Wren is known to breed in the lowlands and foothills, up to an elevation of 1,850 meters. It favors the tropical wet forest and its adjacent tall second growth for its habitat.

Distribution

This species is a resident breeder with a range that extends from central Mexico to northeastern Peru and Suriname.

Behaviour

These wrens are active foragers, typically seen in pairs or family groups. They scour low vegetation or the forest floor in search of sustenance. They are also known to construct "dormitory nests" for roosting, which are placed higher than their breeding nests, sometimes up to 3 meters above the ground.

Song & Calls

The White-breasted Wood Wren's call is a sharp "cheek" or an explosive "tuck." Its song is a melodious "cheer oweet oweet cheery weather," which has been likened to the opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. It is also noted that pairs may engage in duets, a charming trait of some wren species.

Breeding

The breeding nest of the White-breasted Wood Wren is a neatly constructed roofed structure, often situated on the ground or low in the undergrowth, well-hidden by dense vegetation. The female incubates the eggs alone for approximately two weeks until they hatch, and the fledglings take a similar amount of time to leave the nest.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the White-breasted Wood Wren primarily consists of insects and other invertebrates, which they actively seek out in their preferred habitat.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the White-breasted Wood Wren as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of concern.