Xenicus

Xenicus is a genus of birds in the family Acanthisittidae. It contains New Zealand wrens.

Species

New [Zealand rock wren], Xenicus gilviventris
Bushwren, †Xenicus longipes
South Island stout-legged wren, †Xenicus yaldwyni – South Island, New Zealand
North Island stout-legged wren, †Xenicus jagmi – North Island, New Zealand

Lyall's wren was classified as Xenicus lyalli but is quite divergent, so it is placed in its own genus, Traversia.

Taxonomy

The stout-legged wrens formed a species pair. They had reduced wings and robust legs indicating that they were adapted to a terrestrial existence and were either flightless or nearly so. Genetic evidence has indicated that the former genus Pachyplichas is nested within Xenicus, and stout-legged wrens must have evolved from a gracile-legged ancestor. A cladogram is given below.''''