I have always assumed that the Plain Wren (Cantorchilus modestus) nesting in my garden is simply the one found in most parts of Costa Rica, and not the so-called Canebrake Wren (Cantorchilus zeledoni) of the Caribbean lowlands. The latter was formerly regarded as a separate species, and perhaps it is.

On his recent visit here, Richard Garrigues, co-author of the field guide The Birds of Costa Rica, asked me which of the two my resident birds were. I answered without hesitation that I thought they were not the Canebrake Wren, even though our area is considered more Caribbean than Central Valley.

Here, however, is Steven Easley’s most recent photograph of a bird preparing to nest this year in the garden:

Looks rather grey. Is it a Canebrake Wren?

I welcome opinions on identification!

Whichever it is, the chinchirigüí brightens up my every day with its loud and cheerful song.