Birds Guide

Acanthisittidae
Xenicus lyalli
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia   Phylum: Chordata   Class: Aves   Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acanthisittidae
Genera
Acanthisitta Xenicus Pachyplichas Dendroscansor

The New Zealand "wrens", family Acanthisittidae, are tiny passerines restricted to New Zealand.

They are understood to form a distinct lineage within the passerines, but authorities differ on their assignment to the oscines or suboscines (the two suborders that between them make up the passeriformes). DNA-DNA hybridisation studies suggest that they may, in fact, form a third suborder and have no living close relatives at all. They are called "wrens" due to their similar appearance and behavior, but are not related to true wrens.

Species

• Titipounamu or Rifleman, Acanthisitta chloris
  Bush Wren, Xenicus longipes (possibly extinct)
  Piwauwau or New Zealand Rock Wren, Xenicus gilviventris
  Stephens Island Wren, Xenicus lyalli (extinct)
  North Island Stout-legged Wren, Pachyplichas yaldwyni (extinct in prehistoric times)
  South Island Stout-legged Wren, Pachyplichas jagmi (extinct in prehistoric times)
  Long-legged Wren, Dendroscansor decurvirostris (extinct in prehistoric times)