Wrens Troglodytidae
There are 16 genera of wrens, of which 7 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.

The large Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus is found across the arid deserts of the southwestern USA, south into central Mexico. These birds were photographed at Cave Creek Ranch, Portal, Arizona, USA.









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, USA.








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 Eager, Arizona, USA.









Thryothorus

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

The Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus ranges from southern Canada, south to Mexico. The isolated race that inhabits southeast Mexico is sometimes recognized as a seperate species White-browed Wren Thryothorus albinucha. Photographed at the Springfield nature center, Springfield, Missouri, USA.








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, USA.








Troglodytes

There are 10 species in this genus.

The Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes is the only member of the family to have spread to the Old World, where it is simply known as a wren. Although, as a child growing up in England, we also knew it as the Jenny wren. This individual of the western "pacificus" race was photographed in the Huachuca Mountains, near Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA.








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, USA.









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