The ochraceous wren is a small songbird of the wren family. It is a resident breeding species in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia.
Region
Southern Central America and adjacent northern South America
Typical Environment
Found mainly in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, extending locally into northern Colombia. It favors mature, humid montane and cloud forests with abundant mosses and epiphytes. Birds also use forest edges and secondary growth where bromeliads persist. Territories are typically centered on steep, shaded ravines, ridgelines, and moss-laden oak forests.
Altitude Range
900–2800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The ochraceous wren is a small, highland wren that thrives in mossy cloud forests rich in bromeliads and epiphytes. It often forages in pairs or family groups and may join mixed-species flocks. Its bright, tinkling trills carry well in dense, wet forest. By gleaning insects from moss and bromeliads, it helps control arthropod populations in its habitat.
Near San Gerardo in Costa Rica, 20 March 2024.
Temperament
alert and somewhat secretive
Flight Pattern
short, low, rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups that maintain year-round territories. Frequently joins mixed-species flocks moving through the midstory. Nests are well-hidden, often placed in dense vegetation, moss, or among bromeliads, with both parents tending young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a bright, tinkling series of clear trills and short phrases delivered from low to mid canopy perches. Calls include sharp chips and scolding chatters when agitated. Vocalizations carry well through wet, dense forest.
Plumage
Warm ochre to cinnamon-buff underparts with brown upperparts that show fine, dusky barring on the wings and tail. A pale, buffy supercilium contrasts with a darker eye-line. Tail is short and barred; overall plumage looks soft and slightly mottled in the mossy understory light.
Diet
Primarily consumes small arthropods, including insects, spiders, and larvae gleaned from moss, bark, and epiphytes. It probes into bromeliad leaf bases and curled dead leaves for hidden prey. Occasionally takes small fruits or seeds, but animal prey dominates. Foraging is active and methodical, often accompanying mixed-species flocks to capitalize on disturbed insects.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the understory to midstory of humid montane forest, especially where mosses and bromeliads are abundant. Often works along forest edges, ravines, and trails where epiphyte density is high. Will use secondary forest if structural complexity remains.
