The riverside wren (Cantorchilus semibadius) is a small bird found in Costa Rica and Panama, known for its bright orange-brown crown and distinctive calls. It typically inhabits dense vegetation near watercourses and feeds on insects and invertebrates.

Overview of the Riverside Wren

Scientific Classification

  • Common Name: Riverside Wren
  • Scientific Name: Cantorchilus semibadius
  • Family: Troglodytidae

Physical Description

  • Length: 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in)
  • Weight: 17 g (0.60 oz)
  • Adult Plumage:
  • Bright orange-brown crown
  • Chestnut nape, back, and rump
  • Blackish tail with buff-white bars
  • Black-over-white supercilium
  • Streaked and spotted black and white face
  • Pale gray underparts with narrow black bars

Habitat and Distribution

  • Location: Found in Costa Rica and Panama
  • Preferred Habitat: Dense vegetation along watercourses, swampy edges of woodlands, and steep precipices
  • Elevation Range: Sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft)

Behavior and Diet

Foraging and Feeding

  • Forages near the ground, often in pairs or family groups
  • Diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates
  • Sometimes joins other species at army ant swarms

Nesting

  • Nests year-round in globular structures made of fine fibers
  • Nests are typically placed over flowing water, 1.5 to 2.2 m above the ground
  • Clutch size is usually two eggs

Conservation Status

  • IUCN Status: Least Concern
  • Population trends are uncertain due to habitat modification impacts.