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 (extinct) South Island stout-legged wren, †Xenicus yaldwyni (extinct) – South Island, New Zealand North Island stout-legged wren, †Xenicus jagmi (extinct) – 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.Millener (1988). 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.
References
Catalogue of the genera and subgenera of birds contained in the British museum. p. 31 North Island Rifleman (Titipounamu)(above two birds) / South Island Bush Wren (Matuhi) (left centre) / Rock Wren (centre right) / Stephens Island Wren by George Edward Lodge. Collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Further reading