The South Island Wren, aka Rock Wren (not the one from North America), is a native of New Zealand.

It is a poor flyer, usually flying short distances and low to the ground. Because of that, it has become threatened by introduced mammals who find it easy prey.

Classification:

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acanthisittidae
Genus: Xenicus
Species: X. gilviventris

Photos:

Rock wren

Photo courtesy of 57Andrew

Xenicus gilviventris, rock wren, Homer Saddle, Fiordland, 6th Dec 2007 9

Rock wren in scree on Homer Saddle, Fiordland, NZ

Photo courtesy of  Motolorax

Rock Wren

Photo courtesy of  Craig Mckenzie

Rock Wren

Photo courtesy of  Craig Mckenzie

Video:

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any video of this species to share here. If you know of one, please leave a comment with a link.

Commentary:

Beauty and the bird

NZ rock wrens; piwauwau; Xenicus gilviventris* Whio; blue duck; Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus* Sir* The New Zealand wattlebirds (Callaeidae): Huia, Heterolocha acutirostris (*); kokako, Callaeas cinerea (*); and tieke, saddleback, …   Read more…

thirty pounds and a passport * part xii

south island wren………………….south island, new zealand australasian bushlark…………….western australia, australia rufous-naped lark………………………………………………botswana flappet lark………………………………………………………..botswana clapper lark … …   Read more…