Troglodytes troglodytes muiri

Winter wren

A sub-species of Winter Wren named for John Muir

Muir's Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes muiri , is a sub-species of Winter Wren that ranges coastally from southwest Oregon through Marin County, California.

The race was described by Amadeo M. Rea, who notes:

"The first bird named in honor of John Muir, whose life's work of conservation has helped protect the redwood habitat of this wren."

Scientific Name:Troglodytes troglodytes muiri
Common Name:Muir's Winter Wren
Family:Troglodytidae
Order:Passeriformes
Habitat:Thick undergrowth in moist forests. Resident coastally from SW Oregon (Coos. Co.) south to Marin Co., California. Winters rarely somewhat further south (Santa Cruz County).
Types:Navarro River, 7 km. inland, Mendocino County, California
Taxonomic Comments:Smallest, palest, least vermiculated western race. Nearest salebrosus, but paler and more rufescent with richer, more Ochraceous-Buff superciliary, buffier flanks and chest, and more contrastingly pale abdomen. Paler, brighter, and more rufuscent than obscurior. Paler and (when thoroughly foxed ) less deeply rufescent than pacificus.
(Phillips, 1986)

 

Source: The Known Birds of North and Middle America by Allan R. Phillips (1986), p. 140.