Isthmian Wren Cantorchilus elutus Scientific name definitions

Isthmian Wren formerly was known as "Plain Wren", and included with two taxa that now are recognized as separate species, Cabanis's Wren (Cantorchilus modestus) and Canebrake Wren (Cantorchilus zeledoni). "Plain Wren" indeed was a good name of this species, as it possesses rather few obviously distinguishing field marks. This overall similarity is one reason why Cabanis's, Canebrake, and Isthmian wrens were considered conspecific until phylogenetic analyses revealed that each was more distantly related to each other than previously was thought; this genetic divergence also is complemented by differences in their songs. Isthmian Wren has a rather restricted distribution, occurring from southwestern Costa Rica south into Panama. Cabanis's Wren is present on the Pacific coast of northwestern Costa Rica; Cabanis's and Isthmian wrens probably were allopatric, but they may be coming into contact now, in the wake of deforestation in this region. Isthmian Wren builds two different types of nests, a thin-walled, cylinder-like construction that is used by the birds for roosting, and a much more substantial, elliptical structure with a downward-facing entrance, which serves for breeding.