Class Aves
Order Passeriformes
Family Troglodytidae
Catherpes mexicanus—Canyon Wren // Salpinctes obsoletus—Rock Wren // Troglodytes troglodytes—Winter Wren
Eight or more species of wrens occur now in our region.
Sites.
Currently, these small birds are widespread throughout the region in areas of rough topography. Ligon (1962) specifically mentions their affinity for caves.
Mid Wisconsin-Holocene: Shelter Cave (Howard and Miller 1933).
Late Wisconsin-Holocene: Stanton's Cave (Rea and Hargrave 1984).
Literature. Howard and Miller 1933; Ligon 1961; Rea and Hargrave 1984.
Current distribution is throughout our region. Habits are similar to those of the Canyon Wren, both being associated with rocky, rugged terrain. Of all the wrens, this species and the Canyon Wren would seem to be those most likely to wind up as cave fossils.
Sites.
Mid Wisconsin: Papago Springs Cave (Czaplewski and Mead et al. 1999); Pendejo Cave (Harris 2003: cf.); U-Bar Cave (Harris 1987: cf. gen. et sp.).
Mid Wisconsin-Holocene: Shelter Cave (Howard and Miller 1933).
Late Wisconsin-Holocene: Stanton's Cave (Rea and Hargrave 1984).
Literature. Czaplewski and Mead et al. 1999; Harris 1987, 1987; Howard and Miller 1933; Rea and Hargrave 1984
Winter Wrens appear sporadically throughout our region.
Sites. Late Wisconsin/Holocene: SAM Cave (Rogers et al. 2000: cf.).
Literature. Rogers et al. 2000.
Last Update: 20 Mar 2013