Trembler

Tremblers
Brown trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Genus: Cinclocerthia
G.R. Gray, 1840
Type species
Stenorhynchus ruficauda
Gould, 1836
Species

(but see text)

Synonyms

Buleites Gistl, 1848
Stenorhynchus Gould, 1838 (non Lamarck, 1818: preoccupied)

Tremblers (Cinclocerthia) are a genus of perching birds in the family Mimidae that are endemic to the Lesser Antilles. They are medium-small, mostly brown or grey birds with long beaks and tails that typically are held cocked. Most recent authorities recognize two species in the genus, but some split each into two species, bringing it to four species:

ImageCommon nameScientific name
Grey trembler (Martinique trembler)
  • Saint Lucia trembler

Cinclocerthia (gutturalis) gutturalis

  • Cinclocerthia (gutturalis) macrorhyncha
Brown trembler (southern brown trembler)
  • Northern brown trembler

Cinclocerthia (ruficauda) ruficauda

  • Cinclocerthia (ruficauda) tremula

Among other living birds, they are apparently most closely related to the pearly-eyed thrasher.

Their common name comes from their constant motion; a much more exaggerated version of the wing-flicking also seen in other mimids such as the northern mockingbirds. The tremblers do not just flick their wings, but shake their entire bodies in a trembling motion. This behaviours is a signal to others of their species, similar to the more common contact call.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Mimidae". Howard & Moore Checklist Online. Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  2. ↑ Hunt et al. (2001), Barber et al. (2004)
  3. ↑ Markowsky, Juliet Kellogg; Glanz, William; Hunter, Malcolm (1994). "Why Do Brown Tremblers Tremble? (¿Por qué Tiembla Cinclocerthia ruficauda?)". Journal of Field Ornithology. 65 (2): 247–249. ISSN 0273-8570.

Sources cited

Further reading