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Canebrake Wren Cantorchilus zeledoni Scientific name definitions

Donald E. Kroodsma and David Brewer
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated January 1, 2005

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Originally Appeared in

HBW Alive

Introduction

Canebrake Wren formerly was known as "Plain Wren", and included with two taxa that now are recognized as separate species, Cabanis's Wren (Cantorchilus modestus) and Isthmian Wren (Cantorchilus elutus). "Plain Wren" indeed was a good name of this species, as it possesses rather few obviously distinguishing field marks. This overall similarity is one reason why Cabanis's, Canebrake, and Isthmian wrens were considered conspecific until phylogenetic analyses revealed that each was more distantly related to each other than previously was thought; this genetic divergence also is complemented by differences in their songs. Canebrake Wren has a rather restricted distribution, as it is confined to the Caribbean slope, from Nicaragua south to western Panama.

Field Identification

14 cm. Has white supercilium contrasting sharply with grey crown and with grey-brown eyestripe; ear-coverts mottled grey and off-white; upperparts brownish-grey, becoming olivaceous on rump; primaries and secondaries dull grey-brown with obscure darker barring; rectrices olivaceous brown with conspicuous darker bars; off-white below, becoming grey on chest and grey-buff on lower belly; eye grey-brown; bill black above, grey below; legs dark olive. Differs from somewhat similar C. modestus in larger size and considerably more grey coloration. Sexes similar. Juvenile has more obscure facial markings and duller underparts than adult.

Systematics History

Frequently treated as a race of C. modestus, and assertion in HBW that “the two differ substantially in plumage and song” is exaggerated; in fact present species maintains species rank on account of its generally greyer crown and back (1); paler, less fulvous flanks (1); slightly larger size (effect size for tarsus based on published evidence (1) 2.1, score 2); and a fairly different duetting song, the female covering a wide frequency range and the male a very narrow one, with clearly more curly, not dagger-shaped notes as in both races of C. modestus (3) (2). Monotypic.

Subspecies

Monotypic.

Distribution

Caribbean drainage from E & SE Nicaragua (Greytown, Los Sábalos) S to W Panama (Bocas del Toro).

Habitat

Second growth, regenerating farmland and wild canebrakes; absent from virgin forest. Sea-level to about 600 m; not reaching elevations occupied by C. modestus.

Movement

Apparently sedentary.

Diet and Foraging

No data on food items. Forages in lower levels of dense undergrowth.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Sexes sing in complex duet, with three main components, each distinctive in structure: rapid and highly co-ordinated alternation of two-part phrases by female and very brief, fast, low-frequency phrases by male, the whole preceded by somewhat longer, higher-frequency phrase of 4–6 elements by male; sexes have repertoire of each of their respective components, and phrase types are specifically associated with each other to form repertoire of duet types. Very occasionally, male’s introductory phrase, frequently given also as solo song, is omitted.

Breeding

Following details mostly from study of ringed population (21 pairs, 11 nests located) in Costa Rica, Mar–Aug. Nest ovoid, dimensions c. 10 cm × 6·7–10·3 cm, height 16–19 cm, side entrance at top with “visor” forming slight downward-pointing tunnel, made from plant fibres, lined with seed down and feathers; built by female, taking c. 3 days; placed 0·65–1·65 m above ground across thin horizontal branch, usually in dense scrub or vine tangle; much flimsier dormitory nests also built, by both sexes. Eggs 2 or 3, clear pale blue; incubation 14 days; chicks fed by both parents, nestling period 14–15 days; young sometimes leave nest before fully able to fly, fed near nest for 2 further days, before following parents away from it. Success low: of 20 eggs laid, 11 hatched and two chicks survived to independence; predation by e.g. snakes and coatis (Nasua narica) thought largely responsible; nests also parasitized by Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus).

Conservation Status

Conservation status on Birdlife LC Least Concern
Not globally threatened. Quite common in parts of its range. Seems to adapt well to moderately disturbed habitat.
Distribution of the Canebrake Wren - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Canebrake Wren

eBird and Macaulay Library

Recommended Citation

Kroodsma, D. E. and D. Brewer (2020). Canebrake Wren (Cantorchilus zeledoni), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.plawre3.01
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