Birdtober Day Thirteen: Wren

At the end of September, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) announced that there are four new Caribbean species of wrens. I learned about this from Birds Caribbean, who dubbed this moment in time "The Wrenaissance." 

Here's part of Birds Caribbean's explanation (you can read the rest, with more details about how these decisions are made, and photos, here, and you can read my ode to taxonomy in this post): 

"These taxonomic updates often come in the form of “splits,” where what was once considered a single species is divided into multiple species due to significant differences in traits such as appearance, genetics, or behavior. In contrast, “lumps” occur when distinct populations are found to be similar enough to merge into a single species. Ornithologists use a combination of genetic analysis, morphology (shape and size), plumage, and vocalizations to determine whether a bird population deserves species status. 

This process can involve differentiating Caribbean birds from their mainland counterparts or recognizing distinct island populations as unique species. . . . The bird formerly known as the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) has undergone a major revision and is now split into seven different species — four of which are newly recognized as Caribbean endemics! Say hello to the Grenada Wren(Troglodytes grenadensis), St. Lucia Wren (Troglodytes mesoleucus), St. Vincent Wren (Troglodytes musicus), and Kalinago Wren (Troglodytes martinicensis), which is native to Dominica. The Kalinago Wren, named in honor of the island’s Indigenous Kalinago people, was also historically found on Guadeloupe and Martinique, though it has since disappeared from those islands." 

House Wren (St. Vincent) - Photo Source: eBird.com

 

Wrens

Sometimes one day
you’re someone new
though inside
you’re the same old you:
others see you differently,
and they decide who you will be.

You do you, small brownish wren
(who you are now, who you were then):
keep catching bugs, and sing your song.
House Wren,
you’re right where you belong. 

©Ruth Bowen Hersey