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Class Aves
Order Passeriformes
Family Troglodytidae

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Catherpes mexicanus—Canyon Wren // Salpinctes obsoletus—Rock Wren // Troglodytes troglodytes—Winter Wren

Troglodytidae—Wrens

Eight or more species of wrens occur now in our region.

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Catherpes mexicanus (Swainson 1929)—Canyon WrenPleistocene regional distribution of Catherpes mexicanus

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.

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Salpinctes obsoletus—Rock WrenPleistocene regional distribution of Salpinctes obsoletus

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

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Troglodytes troglodytes —Winter Wren.Pleistocene regional distribution of Troglodytidae troglodytes

Winter Wrens appear sporadically throughout our region.

Sites. Late Wisconsin/Holocene: SAM Cave (Rogers et al. 2000: cf.).

Literature. Rogers et al. 2000.

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Last Update: 20 Mar 2013