Rufous-backed Wren

The adult rufous-backed wren measure 17 cm (6.7 in) in length and weighs between 29 to 42 g (1.0 to 1.5 oz). While slight variation exists among the subspecies, adults generally possess a black crown and eyestripe separated by a white supercilium, a rufous nape, and cinnamon to chestnut upper parts streaked with black and white, most prominently on the rump. The wings and tail feature black and grayish-white barring, while the underparts are plain white. Juveniles are distinguished by duller upper parts and buff-colored underparts.

The six subspecies of rufous-backed wren are found thus:

C. c. nigricaudatus, the Pacific coastal plain from southwestern Chiapas, Mexico into Guatemala C. c. capistratus, the Pacific coastal plain from Guatemala south into El Salvador C. c. xerophilus, the Motagua Valley of Guatemala C. c. castaneus, interior Guatemala east to Honduras and Nicaragua C. c. nicaraguae, interior of western Nicaragua C. c. nicoyae, the Nicoya Peninsula of northwestern Costa Rica This large wren occurs in lowlands and foothills from sea level up to 800 m (2,600 ft) elevation in Costa Rica and as high as 1,400 m (4,600 ft) in El Salvador. It inhabits dry forest or open woodland, scrub, second growth and savanna, mainly on the Pacific side of the central mountain ranges.

The rufous-backed wren forages actively in low vegetation in pairs or family groups, searching primarily for insects and other invertebrates. The species has adapted well to human presence and occasionally consumes table scraps. When handling prey, individuals frequently thrash it with their beak prior to ingestion.