Wikipedia

St Kilda wren: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
image
m estimated at about → estimated at
(19 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1:
{{Short description|Subspecies of bird}}
{{Taxobox
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
| image= Ibis (1885) (14565465039).jpg▼
{{subspeciesbox
▲| image = Ibis (1885) (14565465039).jpg
| image_caption = Illustration by [[John Gerrard Keulemans|Keulemans]]
| regnumgenus = [[Animal]]iaTroglodytes
| species = troglodytes
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| species_link = Eurasian wren
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
| subspecies = '''''T. t. hirtensis'''''▼
| ordo = [[perching bird|Passeriformes]]
| trinomial_authorityauthority = [[Henry Seebohm|Seebohm]], 1884▼
| familia = [[Troglodytidae]]
| genus = ''[[Troglodytes (wren)|Troglodytes]]''
| species = ''[[Troglodytes troglodytes|T. troglodytes]]''
▲| subspecies = '''''T. t. hirtensis'''''
| trinomial = ''Troglodytes troglodytes hirtensis''
▲| trinomial_authority = [[Henry Seebohm|Seebohm]], 1884
}}
 
The '''St Kilda wren''' (''Troglodytes troglodytes hirtensis'') is a small [[passerine]] bird in the [[wren]] family. It is a distinctive subspecies of the [[Eurasian wren]] [[endemism|endemic]] to the islands of the isolated [[St Kilda, Scotland|St Kilda]] [[archipelago]], in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] {{convert|64&nbsp;|km}} west of the [[Outer Hebrides]], [[Scotland]]. Its [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] name is “Dreathan-donn”.<ref name=wi>[http://www.thewesternisles.co.uk/birds/st-kilda-wren.htm The Western Isles: St Kilda Wren]</ref>
 
==Description==
The St Kilda wren is distinguished from the mainland form by its larger size and heavier barring, as well as its generally greyer and less [[rufous]] colouration. It differs from other Scottish island sub-species by its heavy barring, long and strong bill, and its greyer and paler plumage.<ref>{{cite journal |last=McGowan, |first=R.Y.; |last2=Clugston, |first2=D. L.; & |last3=Forrester, |first3=R. W. (|year=2003). |title=Scotland's endemic subspecies. ''|journal=Scottish Birds'' '''|volume=24''': 18-35.|pages=18–35}}</ref> The voice is somewhat louder than the mainland subspecies.<ref name=Witherby/>
 
==Distribution and habitat==
This wren is known only from St Kilda in the [[Outer Hebrides]], where it is present on all islands in the group. In the breeding season it is largely found on the cliffs and steep rocky slopes with thick vegetation, but also around old buildings. Outside the breeding season it is more widely dispersed around the islands.<ref name=Witherby>{{cite book|author1=Witherby, Harry Forbes |author2=Jourdain, F.C.R.|author3=Ticehurst, Norman F.|author4=Tucker, Bernard W.|title=The Handbook of British Birds: Warblers to Owls|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QM0QAQAAMAAJ |year=1948 |publisher=H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd.|pages=217–218}}</ref>
 
==Ecology==
The St Kilda wren feeds on small [[invertebrate]]s such as [[beetle]]s and their larvae, [[Fly|flies]], [[moth]] larvae, [[spider]]s, [[centipede]]s and [[Talitridae|sandhoppers]]. Most birds breed in crevices and holes on cliffs concealed behind grasses and dead [[Armeria maritima|thrift]]. Some choose old walls and buildings, or the steep grassy slopes where [[puffin]]s breed. The nest is built by the male and is rather bulky and is composed of dead grasses, [[moss]]es and bits of dead [[bracken]], lined with white feathers moulted by seabirds. There are usually four to six eggs, white with reddish-brown speckles, mostly on the wide end.<ref name=Witherby/>
 
==Status==
The St Kilda wren is a fairly common breeding resident on St Kilda. The population was estimated at about 230 breeding pairs in 2002.<ref name=sknr>[{{cite web |url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/St_Kilda_(Hirta)_National_Nature_Reserve,_United_Kingdom#Fauna |title=St Kilda National Nature Reserve: Fauna] |access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref>
 
==References==
Line 27 ⟶ 30:
{{Endemic biota of Scotland}}
{{St Kilda}}
 
{{portalbar|Birds|Animals|Scotland}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3539840}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Kilda wren}}
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Scotland]]
[[Category:Fauna of St Kilda, Scotland]]
[[Category:Troglodytes (wrenbird)]]
[[Category:AnimalsBirds described in 1884]]
[[Category:1884 in Scotland]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Henry Seebohm]]
[[Category:Endemic biota of the Scottish islands]]
 
{{Scotland-stub}}
{{Troglodytidae-stub}}
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Kilda_wren"