BirdNote Daily Two Rare Wrens Serenade Southern Mexico
Nov 6, 2025
Discover the enchanting world of two unique wrens in southern Mexico's tropical forests. Sumichrast’s Wren and Nava’s Wren may share a habitat but boast distinct songs and never overlap in their territories. Explore their different appearances and behaviors, and learn how genetic studies unraveled the mystery behind their species classification. This delightful journey showcases the vocal talents of these songbirds in a stunning natural amphitheater.
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Two Similar Wrens Are Actually Different
- Sumichrast's and Nava's wrens are sooty-brown tropical forest birds that occupy similar limestone-outcrop habitats in southern Mexico.
- Though once thought conspecific, distinct songs and genetics reveal they are separate species with nonoverlapping ranges.
Haunting Songs Echo From Limestone
- Sumichrast's Wren skulks out of sight but reveals itself with a clear, haunting song amplified by limestone amphitheaters.
- Nava's Wren sounds very different and the two species never overlap in range despite similar habitats.
Habitat Limits Make Wrens Rare
- Sumichrast's Wrens occur in roughly a dozen sites around Oaxaca and Veracruz, making them one of the region's rarest songbirds.
- Habitat specificity to limestone outcrops likely contributes to their limited distribution and rarity.