Rifleman

Acanthisitta chloris (Sparrman, 1787)

Rifleman, Acanthisitta chloris, breeds in New Zealand on the North, South and Stewart islands. It is a passerine in the New Zealand wrens family and is one of only two living members of that group. The bird is endemic to New Zealand and is the country’s smallest endemic bird. It has a wren-like shape, though it is not part of the true wrens or the Australian fairy-wrens. Its name comes from a colonial regiment, inspired by the likeness of its plumage to a rifleman’s uniform.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Acanthisittidae — New Zealand Wrens

Breeding range

Australasia: North, South and Stewart is. (New Zealand)