Wrenthrush

The wrenthrush, or Zeledonia coronata, is an unusual bird found only in the high-altitude montane and elfin forests of Costa Rica and Panama, preferring wet, foggy environments near streams. Neither a wren nor a thrush, it stands out in its own genus and family, and recent DNA studies suggest it may be closer to certain Caribbean birds and distantly linked to sparrows and blackbirds. It's a small, plump bird with distinctive yellow-orange and black crown and grayish-olive plumage, roughly 10-11.5 cm long, and both males and females look alike. Known for being poor fliers, wrenthrushes tend to hop around branches or walk along the ground when foraging for insects, primarily spiders and caterpillars. During breeding, which happens from March to July, they build dome-shaped nests with a side entrance, using moss and twigs, and both parents care for the chicks. They are vocal birds, particularly in breeding season, singing at dawn and dusk with songs that end in a noticeable "deet". Currently, they are considered of Least Concern by the IUCN, with no immediate threats to their specialized habitat, although habitat degradation could pose future risks.