Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Wrentit -- Chamaea fasciata


RANGE: Resident in coastal areas from northwestern Oregon south to northwestern Baja California, and in interior areas of northern and central California.

STATUS: Common resident in suitable habitat.

HABITAT: Primarily inhabits chaparral but also inhabits other habitats from coastal brushlands up to ponderosa and black oak vegetation types where dense stands of shrubs are present.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Dense shrubs.

NEST: Builds a compact cup nest of coarse bark, plant fibers, and grasses, which it conceals 1 to 4 feet above the ground in shrubs such as Baccharis.

FOOD: Gleans food from bark surfaces of shrubs; eats primarily insects, spiders, and small fruits.

REFERENCES: Erickson 1938, Terres 1980, Verner and Boss 1980.


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