Salpinctes obsoletus or commonly known as Rock wren is a small songbird from South and Western America. Salpinctes have only one species and they are a member of the Troglodytidae family. Rock Wrens are one of the few bird species that use altered human landscapes. Some of the places they’ve been found to nest are road cuts and railroad tunnels.
Quick Overview: Latin Name – Common Name
Body size: Around 5-6 in (13-15 cm) and a weight of 17 g (0.6 oz)
Main colors: Gray, Brown, White, Yellow, Black
Range: South and the Central United States
Migratory Bird: Yes
Best time of the year to see in the U.S.: All Year (January – December)
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Rock wren Description
With white spots on gray upperparts, a brown rump, white over the black eyebrow, a white throat and breast with fine gray streaks, and buff-yellow flanks and belly, this medium-sized wren is easily identified. The long tail is barred in the buff and black and has a pale tip; the under tail coverts are white with black bars on either side.
Size
These birds have a length of 5-6 in (13-15 cm) and a weight of 17 g (0.6 oz). Their wings could range up to 9 in (23cm).
Feeding
Eats insects and spiders, and forages for food in and between rocks and other structures.
Habitat
Rocky slopes and outcrops, canyons, cliff walls, and reservoir rip-rap are all examples of rip-rap that can be found in arid environments.
Behavior
It forages on the ground, probing holes with its bill. Will forage in low bushes or trees. They usually scavenge insects from rocks or vegetation, but will also fly up to catch prey in mid-air. Also seen picking insects out of spider webs.
Salpinctes obsoletus Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Troglodytidae
- Genus: Salpinctes
- Species: Salpinctes obsoletu
Best time of the year to see
In the United States, the best time of year to see these birds is all year round, regardless of the season. This refers to any month of the year between January and December.
Distribution of the Rock wren in the USA
During the winter, northern populations fly south to the Midwest, Southwest Canada, and South America. Southerners live there permanently. In Mexico and Central America, they live in dry ruins of Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
The Rock wren can be found in the following states in the United States – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.