Wrens Troglodytidae
There are 16 genera of wrens, of which 8 are thus far described below. Of the 79 species within the family, two are critically endangered: the Niceforo's Wren Thryothorus nicefori in Colombia, and the newly described Munchique Wood-Wren Henicorhina negreti, also in Colombia. The Apolinar's Wren Cistothorus apolinari in Colombia and the Zapata Wren Ferminia cerverai known from only one swamp in Cuba are considered endangered. Another four species are listed as vulnerable, and four others are near-threatened. The family name comes from the Greek word troglodytes, which when translated means one who creeps into holes, or cave dweller.


Campylorhynchus

With 13 species, this is the second largest genus in the family.

Cactus Wrens Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus at Cave Creek Ranch, Portal, Arizona, July 2001.



Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus near La Selva, Heredia, Costa Rica, June 2007.









Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha at Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, June 2007.






Salpinctes

This is the only species in this genus.

The fairly tame and active Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus is found from southwestern Canada, south to Costa Rica. They prefer more arid areas than the similar looking Canyon Wren. This bird was photographed in the Tucson Mountain Park, west off Tucson, Arizona, October 2002.






Catherpes

This is the only species in this genus.

To be in a wild and rugged canyon hearing the beautiful song of the Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus is a sound that you will not readily forget. This bird was photographed at such a place in South Fork, near Eagar, Arizona, August 2003.






Cistothorus

There are 4 species in this genus.

Formerly called Long-billed Marsh Wren, the Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris is common in reedy marshes and cattail swamps from southwest Canada south to central Mexico. This bird of the western "paludicola" race was photographed at Dankworth Pond, near Safford, Arizona, March 2007.






Thryomanes

Only 1 species is in this genus.

The Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii is found from southwest British Columbia south through the USA, to southeast Mexico. This individual of the widespread southern "eremophilus" race was photographed at Agua Caliente Park, Tucson, Arizona, June 2004.






Thryothorus

With 27 species, this is the largest genus in the family.

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus at the Springfield nature center, Springfield, Missouri, December 2005.



Riverside Wren Thryothorus semibadeus at Hacienda Baru, near Dominical, Costa Rica, April 2009.






Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus near San Vito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, April 2009.



Stripe-breasted Wren Thryothorus thoracicus at Cano Negro, Costa Rica, April 2009.







Bay Wren Thryothorus rutilus at Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica, June 2007.



Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus near Gomez Farias, Tamaulipas, Mexico, March 2009.







Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus at Monteverde, Costa Rica, April 2009.










Troglodytes

There are 10 species in this genus.

Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes in the Huachuca Mountains, near Sierra Vista, Arizona, November 2006.



Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceous Cerro de la Muerte, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2009.



Henicorhina

There are 4 species in this genus.

White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta at Heliconia Lodge, near Bijagua, Costa Rica, Aprill 2009.



Grey-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve, Costa Rica, Aprill 2009.



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