Scarlet Cliff Wren

The scarlet cliff wren is a small bird easily found in mountainous, rocky terrain worldwide. It is a common bird that, despite being vivid in colour, is usually recognised by its song before being spotted amongst the brush. Males claim large territories to patrol and call for females, who nest in the territory of their chosen male and raise chicks.

Description

The scarlet cliff wren is between 12-15cm in length, the longer tails of the males usually accounting for the longer specimens. The bill is long, narrow and pointed, well adapted to picking off small insects from the rocks and steep environments they inhabit. 
Females are usually plain brown to beige in colour, with dark and white bands on their wings and tails. They have white or pale cream markings around their face and eyes. The males are darker brown than the females, and in addition to the dark and white banding, they have scarlet bands and a distinctive scarlet collar. This has sometimes lead to them being called Kaltia's Wrens, in reference the the bright red collars that priests of Kaltia wear

Song

Scarlet cliff wrens have a shrill, high-pitched, looping "warbling" call which they use to keep in contact with other birds in their territory and confirm a lack of danger. If danger is spotted, the birds become suddenly silent, alerting other birds in the area that a predator or threat is present. This has long been of use to travellers with an understanding of birdsong, as well as to other animals. Herds of deer and other grazing animals have been known to become alert when cliff wrens suddenly stop singing, seemingly having learned that this indicates danger. 

Distribution and Habitat

The scarlet cliff wren's name is a little misleading- though they are common in cliff areas, they were named such because this is where they were most easily spotted. They can be found in various rocky, mountainous areas, including beaches with rocky cliffs and cold-climate mountainsides. Scarlet cliff wrens thrive in areas with rocky terrain, as they are small enough to duck between cracks and hide amongst rocks while feeding on insects and small animals amongst the undergrowth. Unfortunately, they do not adapt well to urban or city environments, loss of habitat through land clearing has displaced territories of birds and deprived them of nesting areas. 

Behaviours

Like most small insectorvous birds, the scarlet cliff wren is an active hunter who feeds constantly throughout the day. Their fast metabolisms require a large caloric intake to maintain, and they have been known to eat up to three times their bodyweight in insects and small animals each day.
The wrens move around in small hops, balanced by their long tail and sometimes flitting their wings out quickly to make a hop bigger. They are very nimble, and are easily able to balance and rest on delicate branches and blades of grass. Their wings are short and are best for short flights and moving between rocks and branches- scarlet cliff wrens are rarely seen flying more than a few metres above the ground and cannot maintain long powered flight over great distances.  

Males have habitats which they will defend through fighting, in which females will roost and hatch his eggs. They do not have much in the way of display- females usually choose a male by the state of his breeding territory- the fittest males being the ones that are able to claim the best nesting territories and keep them secure. Males will routinely check the nests of all of their females, stopping to feed both the females and the chicks on occasion and protecting them from other males. The male also acts as a sentry during nesting season, keeping watch and calling continually to reassure the females of their safety.

by spooktacular

Scholarly Name: Malerius scarleti
Common Names: Scarlet cliff wren, Kaltia's Wren
Conservation: Least concern
Range: Widespread worldwide, mountainous or rocky areas