Until recently, Microcerculus philomela was considered a subspecies of Microcerculus marginatus, which is located immediately south of the range of M. philomela. They were all lumped, along with Microcerculus luscina, under the name nightingale wren. Their geographic differences, along with distinct differences in song and physical traits have separated the groups. They are sometimes referred to as Northern and Southern nightingale wrens, respectively. This division is likely the beginning of speciation in this group of very closely related birds.
(Stiles & Skutch 1989)
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Nightingale wrens are popular on birding resorts in Central America. Along with the many other diverse species of birds found in this region, they create an attraction for tourists and an industry for this kind of resort.
Nightingale wrens are mostly insectivores that forage in the debris of the forest floor for insects, arachnids, and other small forest invertabrates. A peculiar behavior when searching for food is the constant motion of the tail beating on the ground as they walk. This could be used as a method of drawing food out into the open to be eaten.
(Stiles & Skutch 1989)
The nightingale wren has a very limited range. It is found from far southeast Mexico through to Costa Rica (the northern portion of Central America). It has been seen by a few observant researchers, birdwatchers, and tourists in this area.
(Stiles & Skutch 1989)
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Microcerculus philomela lives in thick evergreen forests, which are also usually very moist, and have a large amount of cover on the forest floor. Most of the time M. philomela can be found on the forest floor, or perched on low branches and plants, and are very difficult to spot unless they are singing. Ravines and foothills in these forests are favorite environments of these birds. (Stiles & Skutch 1989)
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest
Adults are usually 10-11 cm in length and weigh 18 g.
Both male and female adults have dark black markings, usually scaling on their breast and throat which have a greyish base color, but can appear almost completely black. Their dorsal side is dark brown, with black scalloping around the edges, as well as on the wings. There are a lighter spots on the wing coverts. They have a black bill and black legs.
Immature wrens have markings similar to adults, but are over-all paler in color, creating more contrast between light and dark markings.
Young wrens are even paler than immature wrens, though still similar, also with a marked contrast in color. Their scaling is mostly grey, instead of black, and their base color is more of a light cream or buff shade.
(Stiles & Skutch 1989; Howell & Webb 1995)
Average mass: 18 g.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Very little is known about the nesting habits of Microcerculus philomela due to their secretive nature. Their mating season runs from May or June until September. They have been observed using previously existing nests on the floor of forests in the dirt to lay eggs and raise their young. Some biparental care has also been observed. The average clutch size is about 2-3 eggs. The incubation period usually lasts for 19-20 days during which the parents are directly involved with caring for the eggs. Once hatched, the observed time to fledging is about 16-17 days. No observations have been made of the time it takes young to reach sexual maturity. Most wrens are polygamous, so it can be hypothesized that nightingale wrens are as well, but no research supports the idea at this time.
(Stiles & Skutch 1989; Christian & Roberts 2000)
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous
The northern nightingale-wren (Microcerculus philomela), or nightingale wren, is a species of passerine bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.[2][3]
The northern nightingale-wren forms a species pair with the southern nightingale-wren (Microcerculus marginatus) and was in the past considered conspecific with it. It is currently treated as a species in its own right by the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and the Clements taxonomy, though under different English names. It is monotypic.[2][3][4]
The northern nightingale-wren is 10 to 11.5 cm (3.9 to 4.5 in) long; seven males weighed 17.4 to 21.5 g (0.61 to 0.76 oz) and four females 16.4 to 17.4 g (0.58 to 0.61 oz). Adults are almost entirely dark brown, but with a dark gray throat and breast. Black tips on feathers of both the upper- and undersides give a scalloped appearance. Juveniles are similar though the scaling on their upperparts is darker and that on the underparts is whitish to pale gray.[4]
The northern nightingale-wren is found from Chiapas in Mexico through Guatemala, southern Belize, Honduras, and Nicaragua into northern Costa Rica. It mostly occurs along the Atlantic side but is found locally on the Pacific side in Chiapas and Costa Rica. In Mexico it ranges in elevation from near sea level to 1,400 m (4,600 ft), and in Costa Rica occasionally up to that level but more commonly only as high as 1,200 m (3,900 ft).[4]
The northern nightingale-wren inhabits the interior of lowland tropical forest. It favors virgin evergreen forest and undisturbed cloud forest.[4]
The northern nightingale-wren forages on and near the ground, in undergrowth, brush piles, and on fallen logs. It opportunistically follows army ant swarms. Its diet is almost entirely insects.[4]
The northern nightingale-wren is reported to breed between May and September in Costa Rica, but little else is known about its nesting biology.[4]
The northern nightingale-wren's song is a "confident to hesitant, rising and falling series of whistles". It is sung during most of the year and often from low perches.[4]
The IUCN has assessed the northern nightingale-wren as being of Least Concern.[1] However, because of its preference for undisturbed forest, it is considered under threat in much of its range due to the clearing and fragmentation of forest for agriculture.[4]
The northern nightingale-wren (Microcerculus philomela), or nightingale wren, is a species of passerine bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
