Banded Wren Thryophilus pleurostictus Scientific name definitions

The Banded Wren has a relatively broad Pacific slope distribution through Middle America, from western Mexico in the north, to northwest Costa Rica in the south. It is reasonably numerous throughout this range, and is generally considered to be most accomplished songsters within the expanded genus Thryothorus, of which it was until recently considered a part. The species inhabits scrubby forest, arid scrub, mangroves and swamp forest, and is recorded from sea level to at least 1600 m, at least in Mexico. As many as seven different subspecies has been described, despite that the species’ range is largely continuous; they differ chiefly in size and overall depth of the coloration below.

14–15 cm; 14–23·8 g. Rather distinctive wren with heavy barring on flanks. Nominate race has dull blackish-brown lores, off-white supercilium, ear-coverts with fine speckles of black and off-white; crown and nape reddish-brown, shoulders, back and rump more rufescent; primaries and secondaries reddish-brown with narrow blackish bars, some white on webs; rectrices cinnamon-brown, barred dull blackish; chin, throat and chest unmarked grayish-white; prominent black bars on chest side, becoming wider lower down and extending across lower belly; undertail-coverts barred sharply black and white; eye dark brown; bill dark brown above, bluish-tinged pink below; legs light brown to horn-brown. Sexes similar. Juvenile lacks most of facial markings, has chin and throat mottled brownish, unbarred underparts pale dull buff, mottled with darker brown. Subspecies nisorius is larger than nominate, with more extensive barring on underparts; oaxacae is very like nominate but lacking white on primary webs; <em>acaciarum</em> is more buff on belly, with heavier flank barring; oblitus is larger and less warmly colored above; lateralis is smaller and more brightly rufescent above than previous; ravus is smaller than nominate, with more brightly rufescent upperparts, less prominent barring on primaries and secondaries.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Generally found in rather dry habitats; arid scrub-forest and tropical deciduous forest, including second growth. In swamp-forest in El Salvador, sometimes in mangrove swamps in Honduras and Costa Rica. Sea-level to 1600 m in Mexico; to 1100 m in Honduras and 800 m in Costa Rica.

Apparently sedentary.

Few data on prey items; invertebrates, including spiders (Araneae), recorded. Generally forages in pairs or family groups, usually low down or on ground ; also higher up in trees if ground cover sparse.

Song a striking and beautiful series of varied whistles and gurgled trills, in some ways reminiscent of Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos); calls include a harsh nasal churring and short trills.

Season May–Jul in Mexico; in S Mexico and El Salvador extending into Aug, possibly to take advantage of second-hand nests. Nest shaped like old-fashioned chemical retort, built of weed stems, rootlets and similar material, lined with finer grasses, typically hung in crotch of tree, entrance tube sloping downwards at c. 45 degrees on one side and nesting chamber on other side; usually located 1–3 m up, frequently in bull’s-horn acacia (Acacia collinsii) harbouring aggressive symbiotic ants, or near pendent nest of hornets (Vespidae) or in irritating nettle bush (Urtica); old pendent nest of Yellow-olive Flycatcher (Tolmomyias sulphurescens) 2–10 m up near end of slender branch frequently used in El Salvador. Eggs 2–5, sometimes white, more frequently pale blue to deeper sky-blue; no information on incubation and fledging periods.

Not globally threatened. Reasonably common to abundant in much of its range.