| Microcerculus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Southern nightingale-wren (M. marginatus) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Troglodytidae |
| Genus: | Microcerculus Salvin, 1861 |
| Type species | |
| Turdus bambla[1] | |
Microcerculus is agenus of birds in the wren familyTroglodytidae that are endemic toCentral America and tropical regions of South America.
These are small wrens with very short tails, long legs and a long bill. They forage on or near the ground in humid forests.[2]
The genus was first mentioned in print by the English naturalistOsbert Salvin in 1861. Salvin credits the zoologistPhilip Sclater for coining the name but Sclater's book on American birds was not published until 1862.[3][4] Some taxonomists credit Sclater for erecting the genus in 1862.[5][6] Thetype species was subsequently designated as thewing-banded wren (Microcerculus bambla) by the American naturalistSpencer Baird in 1864.[7] The genus name is a diminutive of theAncient Greekmikros meaning "small" andkerkos meaning "tail".[8]
The genus contains the following species:[9]
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