The southern nightingale-wren, also known as the scaly-breasted wren, is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Central America and Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Central America (Costa Rica and Panama) south through the Chocó and Andean foothills into the Amazon Basin and adjoining regions of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, and northern Brazil. It inhabits humid evergreen lowland and foothill forests, including primary and mature secondary growth. The species is closely tied to dense understory, thickets, vine tangles, and ravines, often near streams. It typically stays within a meter or two of the ground, using fallen logs and root tangles for cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy understory specialist, the southern nightingale-wren is famed for its pure, fluting song that carries far through humid forests. It keeps to dense cover near the ground and is far more often heard than seen. Its breast shows a fine scalloped or scaly pattern, giving rise to the alternate name 'scaly-breasted wren.'
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between dense cover
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs within well-defined territories. Nests are concealed low to the ground, often domed or tucked into cavities, roots, or dense vegetation. Both sexes are cautious near the nest and rely on cover for protection.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, pure series of fluting whistles, often descending or spiraling in pitch and carrying far through the forest. Most frequently delivered from hidden perches at dawn and dusk, but can be heard throughout the day in humid conditions.
Plumage
Fine, scaly pattern on the breast and belly over grayish to buff ground color; upperparts uniform brown to rufescent-brown. Tail extremely short and often held cocked; wings short and rounded. Overall appearance is plain but with distinct scalloping below.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small arthropods such as insects and spiders gleaned from leaf litter, rotting logs, and low vegetation. Probes into crevices, moss, and curled leaves to extract prey. Occasionally snaps up small invertebrates flushed from the ground while moving through dense understory.
Preferred Environment
Forages on or just above the forest floor in dense, humid understory. Often near stream edges, buttress roots, and fallen logs where leaf litter accumulates.
