The grass wren is a species of passerine bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is widely distributed in central and southern America.
Region
Central and South America
Typical Environment
Found from southern Central America through much of South America, especially in open grasslands, pampas, marsh edges, and wet meadows. It favors dense grassy cover where it can skulk close to the ground. In the Andes it also occupies puna grasslands and shrubby páramo-like zones. Populations are patchy where suitable grass-dominated habitat occurs, including agricultural margins and fallow fields. Local movements may occur in response to rainfall and grass growth.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 4000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Grass Wren is a small, secretive wren of dense grasses and sedges, often detected by its insect-like song more than by sight. Many authorities now treat it as distinct from the North American Sedge Wren after taxonomic splits. Males may build multiple nest structures within a territory. Vocal dialects vary widely across its broad range.
C. p. polyglottusSerra da Canastra National Park, Brasil
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and darting over grass
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during breeding, maintaining small territories in dense grass. Males may construct several nests, with one chosen for laying. Nests are usually domed and concealed low in grasses or sedges. Outside the breeding season it may occur loosely with other small insectivores in suitable habitat.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a rapid, buzzy series of trills and ticks, reminiscent of insect stridulation. Calls include sharp tks and dry chatters, often given from hidden perches within grass clumps.
Plumage
Finely streaked brown crown and back with darker and pale striping; buffy to whitish underparts with light barring on flanks and undertail; short, often-cocked tail with dark barring.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as beetles, spiders, caterpillars, and other insects gleaned from grass stems and litter. It probes and picks methodically in dense cover and occasionally sallies short distances to seize prey. Seeds may be taken opportunistically, especially outside the breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Feeds low in dense grasses, sedges, and rushes along marsh edges, wet meadows, and pampas grasslands. Also forages in damp ditches, fallow fields, and tussocky highland grasslands.
