Gray Wren Cantorchilus griseus Scientific name definitions

Given that the first detailed observations on this Brazilian endemic’s behavior and ecology were published only as recently as 2009, it is unsurprising that the Gray Wren is frequently stated to be ‘enigmatic’. It is confined to westernmost Brazil, but despite occurring on the right bank of the Rio Javarí, on the border with Peru, the Gray Wren does not appear to range across that river, and is only known from a relative handful of localities in total. Although ornithological exploration of the species’ range is still relatively limited, it does seem that the Gray Wren is highly localized. The Gray Wren is immediately separable from any other wren in range, or indeed any other member of its genus, in being predominantly gray, with a relatively long bill, but very short tail, and overall rather small-bodied. It is seemingly confined to seasonally flooded and transitional forests, where the species prefers areas with woody vines and many epiphytes; the birds forage from the undergrowth to middle strata.

SW Amazonas (along R Javari, upper R Juruá, upper R Purus), in W Brazil.