Song Wren Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus

Song Wren is a nondescript, medium-sized wren that inhabits lowland tropical rainforests. The generic name Cyphorhinus is derived from the Greek cypho (bent) and rhinus (nose). The specific epithet phaeocephalus is derived from the Greek phaeo (dark, dusky) and cephalus (head). The Spanish common name, Sotorrey Canoro, is perhaps a more fitting moniker for this species. Soto is derived from sotobosque, Spanish for undergrowth; rey is Spanish for "king"; and canoro is Spanish for "melodious singer". These words accurately characterize Song Wrens, which spend the preponderance of their time on the forest floor foraging in small family groups and are renowned for their mellifluous song.

Song Wrens are socially monogamous and maintain stable, year-round territories. Modal clutch size is two, but can range from 1-3. Song Wren juveniles have delayed dispersal, and will often spend up to a year after fledging with their parents on their natal territories. Song Wrens generally are encountered in groups of 2-5 individuals (pairs with offspring), foraging almost exclusively in the leaf litter of the forest floor for terrestrial invertebrates. Family groups nest together in bulky dome nests; nests are often placed in bull-thorn Acacia trees that are inhabited by Acacia ants.

Song Wrens inhabit lowland tropical forests from Honduras to western Ecuador and have higher population abundances in wetter forests; they often are absent from the dry forests of the Pacific coast of Central America.