St. Vincent wren

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St. Vincent wren

Overview
The St. Vincent wren is a very small bird in the wren family. It lives only on the island of Saint Vincent in the Caribbean. Its scientific name is Troglodytes musicus. The genus name Troglodytes means “cave dweller,” and musicus means “musical.”

Taxonomy and naming
The bird was formally described in 1878 by American ornithologist George Newbold Lawrence, based on specimens collected on Saint Vincent. It was once considered a subspecies of the house wren but is now recognized as its own species. It has no subspecies (monotypic). The binomial name is Troglodytes musicus.

Appearance
The St. Vincent wren has reddish-brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Its wings and tail have dark bars. There is a pale stripe above the eye (supercilium) and a reddish-brown face with darker speckling on the breast and sides. It makes a buzzing call, and its song is sweet and musical.

Distribution and habitat
This species is endemic to Saint Vincent in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It can be found in montane evergreen forests, brushy woodlands, farmland, and even built-up areas.

Notes
- Formerly grouped with the house wren, but now treated as a distinct species.
- Described from specimens collected on Saint Vincent in 1878.