Trilling Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus melanurus)

Order: Passeriformes | Family: Polioptilidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

long-billed-gnatwren
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Southeast Brasil

long-billed-gnatwren
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Carajas, Brasil

long-billed-gnatwren
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Southeast Brasil

long-billed-gnatwren
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Southeast Brasil


Identification & Behavior: ~12 cm (4.7 in). The Trilling Gnatwren is warm brown overall with a whitish throat. Some forms have brown underparts and others brown with a whitish center of the breast and belly.  Some forms have white tail tips. It has the appearance of a wren with a tail the bird often cocks and swings in all directions. The Trilling Gnatwren is very small with a long and slender bill and an active, yet elusive, behavior. It is very similar to the Chattering Gnatwren.  These two forms were formerly considered conspecific.

Status: The Trilling Gnatwren is uncommon to rare in thick and viny midstory of the Amazonian lowlands. It also occurs in similar micro-habitat in the semi-deciduous forest of extreme northwest Peru. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Soterillo Trinador.

Sub-species: Trilling Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus melanurus) Vieillot, 1819.
R. m. rufiventris: W Ecuador, and NW Peru (Tumbes).
R. m. badius: SE Ecuador to NE Peru (north of Río Marañón).
R. m. amazonum: E Peru (right bank of upper Río Ucayali) and adjacent NW Brazil.

Meaning of Name:  Ramphocaenus: Gr. rhamphos= beak, and kainos= odd. melanurus: Gr. melas= black, oura= tail. A bird with a strange bill and black tail.

See more of the Family Poliotilidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
Long-billed GnatwrenVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo), The Field Museum. http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 10/18/2014.