Canyon Wren

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Canyon Wren

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Troglodytidae
Genus:	Catherpes Baird, 1858
Species:	C. mexicanus

Binomial name

Catherpes mexicanus
(Swainson, 1829)

The Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) is a small North American wren, and is about 14.5 cm (5.75 inches) long. It ranges from far southern British Columbia and Montana south through much of Mexico to western Chiapas and east to Oklahoma and Texas. It is the only species in the genus Catherpes.

Similar to the Rock Wren in habitat and habits, the Canyon Wren prefers rocky environments near water, particularly in fairly dry country and steep terrain (sometimes including buildings). It feeds on insects and spiders by probing into crevices with its long bill. Its coloration is rustier than that of the Rock Wren, even on the belly, with a contrasting white throat and breast. The Canyon Wren is more often heard than seen, and its falling series of whistles is one of the more familiar bird calls of the canyons of the western United States.

It builds a cup nest out of twigs and other vegetation in a rock crevice. It lays 4 to 6 eggs, white with reddish brown and gray speckles.

[edit] References

BirdLife International (2004). Catherpes mexicanus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
Howell, Steve N. G.; Webb, Sophie (1995). A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-854012-4.
Catherpes mexicanus (TSN 178610). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 24 January 2006.