The Sinaloa wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is endemic to Mexico, with almost annual sightings in the United States, in Arizona.
Region
Pacific slope of western Mexico
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Pacific slope of northwestern Mexico, especially from southern Sonora through Sinaloa into Nayarit and adjacent areas. It favors tropical deciduous forest, thorn scrub, and dense second growth. Riparian thickets, vine tangles along arroyos, and overgrown hedgerows near agriculture are commonly used. It is a rare but regular vagrant north into southeastern Arizona.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A lively member of the wren family, the Sinaloa wren often sings in duets, with mates trading rich, ringing phrases. It builds bulky, enclosed nests in dense shrubs or vines and may also use similar structures as night roosts. Though endemic to Mexico, it is a near-annual vagrant to southeastern Arizona, especially in late summer and fall.
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, usually low and between cover
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, with pairs maintaining territories year-round. Mates often engage in coordinated duet singing. Nests are bulky, enclosed structures placed in dense shrubs or vines, and both sexes may participate in nest defense.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Loud, musical series of clear whistles and trills, often delivered antiphonally by a pair. Calls include sharp chips and scolds when alarmed. The song carries well through dense vegetation.
Plumage
Rich rufous-brown upperparts with fine barring on wings and tail; clean whitish underparts with light buffy wash on the sides. A bold white supercilium contrasts with a darker cheek. Tail often held cocked, showing narrow dark bars.
Diet
Primarily small invertebrates such as insects, spiders, and their larvae. It gleans from leaves, twigs, and bark and occasionally probes into leaf litter or vine tangles. Small berries or fruits may be taken opportunistically, especially in the dry season.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense thickets, hedgerows, riparian vegetation, and the understory of tropical deciduous forest. Often forages from ground level to mid-levels, staying close to cover.
