The stripe-backed wren is a bird found in the savannas of northern Colombia and central Venezuela. It lives in dry, riparian woodland, or farmlands, and is found at heights up to 800 m.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Found primarily in the Llanos and adjacent dry lowlands of northern Colombia and central to northern Venezuela. It favors dry savanna with scattered shrubs and trees, riparian woodlands, thorn scrub, and ranchlands. The species readily occupies edges, fencerows, and semi-open farmland with tall bushes or gallery trees. It is often near watercourses but avoids dense, closed-canopy forest. Altitudinal range is mostly in the lowlands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The stripe-backed wren is a large, social wren that lives in cooperative family groups and often breeds communally. It builds bulky stick nests used for both breeding and communal roosting. Groups perform loud, antiphonal choruses that help maintain territory and group cohesion. It adapts well to open, human-altered savanna landscapes.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Lives in cooperative groups that defend territories and often raise young communally. Builds large stick nests used for breeding and communal roosting, sometimes maintaining several nests within a territory. Pairs and helpers engage in mutual preening and coordinated foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal and conspicuous, delivering loud, ringing whistles and complex chatter. Groups often perform antiphonal duets and choruses, creating a rich, overlapping sound that carries across open savanna.
Plumage
Boldly patterned with a striking black-and-white striped back and mantle, contrasting with pale underparts. The crown and upperparts show brown tones around the boldly streaked back, and the wings and tail are barred. The face has a prominent white supercilium and darker mask through the eye.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and other arthropods gleaned from branches, bark, foliage, and the ground. Also takes spiders and occasionally small vertebrates or eggs. Will supplement diet with berries and other small fruits when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages in open savanna with scattered trees, thorny scrub, riparian edges, and around ranch buildings or hedgerows. Frequently searches along branches and trunks, probes into crevices, and hops on the ground near cover.
