Lyall's wren or the Stephens Island wren is an extinct species of small, flightless passerine bird belonging to the family Acanthisittidae, the New Zealand wrens. It was once found throughout New Zealand, but by the time of its discovery by scientists in 1894, it could only be found on Stephens Island in Cook Strait. Often claimed to be a species driven extinct by only a single individual animal, it was actually predated upon by the numerous feral cats found throughout the island. The wren was described almost simultaneously by both Walter Rothschild and Walter Buller. It became extinct shortly thereafter.
Region
New Zealand
Typical Environment
At the time of its discovery, it was confined to Stephens Island, where it inhabited dense coastal forest, scrub, and rocky boulder fields. It foraged on the ground in leaf litter and among moss-covered rocks, moving swiftly through crevices and root tangles for cover. Subfossil evidence indicates it once occurred more widely across New Zealand before mammalian predators arrived. It favored rugged terrain with thick ground cover and areas largely free from terrestrial predators.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Lyall's wren, also known as the Stephens Island wren, was one of the very few known flightless songbirds. Discovered by science in the 1890s, it vanished within a few years, largely due to predation by numerous feral cats on Stephens Island. The oft-told story that a single lighthouse keeper’s cat caused its extinction is a myth; a burgeoning feral cat population was responsible. It was described almost simultaneously by Walter Rothschild and Walter Buller.
Stephens Island as seen from D'Urville Island
Lyall's wrens by John Keulemans
1905 illustration of a female and male, by Keulemans
1895 illustration by Keulemans
The Carnegie Museum specimen
Stephens Island wren (Traversia lyalli) specimen in World Museum, National Museums Liverpool
Temperament
secretive and terrestrial
Flight Pattern
flightless; moves by running and hopping with short fluttering
Social Behavior
Believed to have lived in pairs or small family groups, keeping close to ground cover. Nests were likely placed in cavities, rock crevices, or dense root tangles. It showed strong site fidelity and relied on cryptic behavior to avoid predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Reports describe a thin, high-pitched series of trills and ticks, somewhat insect-like. Vocalizations were soft and delivered from low perches or within dense cover.
