The wing-banded wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin and the Guianas
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland evergreen rainforest, especially terra firme and tall, mature forest with dense understory and deep leaf litter. It favors shaded ravines, stream margins, buttress root tangles, and fallen log complexes that offer cover and foraging sites. Often keeps to the darkest parts of the forest and rarely ventures into open edges. Found in Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy understory specialist of the Amazon and Guianan lowland rainforests, the wing-banded wren is named for its distinctive pale band across the wing. It stays close to the forest floor, where it slips through dense leaf litter and roots. Despite its secretive nature, it delivers a rich, fluting song that carries surprisingly far. It is non-migratory and depends on intact, humid forest.
Holotype of Cyphorinus albigularis Sclater (NML-VZ D4925) held at World Museum, National Museums Liverpool
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, maintaining small territories within dense understory. Nests are placed low and well concealed, often domed structures with side entrances. Pairs are presumed monogamous, and males sing to advertise territory and maintain pair bonds.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rich, fluting series of clear whistles, often in descending or cascading phrases. The song is penetrating and ventriloquial, most often delivered at dawn and late afternoon from hidden perches.
