Munchique Wood-Wren

About the Munchique Wood-Wren

The Munchique wood wren (Henicorhina negreti) is a member of the wren family (Troglodytidae) that was described as new to science in 2003. It is found in the Western Andes of Colombia. The Munchique wood wren was first observed by Steven Hilty in the 1980s and not described until detailed studies by Paul Salaman, Paul Coopmans, Thomas Donegan, and others in 2000. Morphological and especially vocal differences set it apart from the widespread grey-breasted wood wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) that occurs at lower elevations on the same mountain slope. It is closely related to the grey-breasted wood wren and is probably derived from it. The species' scientific name honors Álvaro José Negret, a Colombian ornithologist who died in 1998. The Munchique wood wren is monotypic.

The Munchique wood wren is 10.8 to 11.7 cm (4.3 to 4.6 in) long and weighs 15.2 to 16.7 g (0.54 to 0.59 oz). The adult has a dark brown crown with blackish marks, a thin white supercilium, a dull black line from the lores through the eye, and blackish cheeks with whitish mottling. Its upperparts are a slightly brighter brown than the crown and its tail is brown with black... Wikipedia →