New Zealand Wrens (Acanthisittidae)

Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) - HBW 9, p. 472

French: Xénique grimpeur German: Grünschlupfer Spanish: Acantisita Verdoso
Other common names: Alpine Rifleman, Rifleman Wren; North Island Rifleman (granti); South Island Rifleman (chloris)

Taxonomy: Sitta chloris Sparrman, 1787, “Cape of Good Hope”; error = Queen Charlotte Sound, South Island, New Zealand.
Morphological differences between races minor and poorly understood; further study needed. Supposedly larger, more yellowish birds in SW of range (Fiordland) described as race citrina, but considered indistinguishable from nominate. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

granti Mathews & Iredale, 1913 - North I and outliers, New Zealand.
chloris (Sparrman, 1787) - South I, Stewart I and outliers.

Least Concern

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Sounds

2 recordings

A bird calling unseen from undergrowth. Locality Tiritiri Matangi Island, Hauraki Gulf, Auckland Region, North Island, New Zealand (ssp granti)
Nick Talbot 19 November 2012 25 weeks ago 5
Low and soft whistles by two birds, in the forest. Locality Lake Gunn, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand (ssp chloris)
Josep del Hoyo 3 February 2013 7 weeks ago 4