Bushwren

The Bushwren ( Xenicus longipes) was a small, flightless bird endemic to New Zealand. It was a member of the family Acanthisittidae, also known as New Zealand wrens, an ancient lineage distantly related to other passerines. Three subspecies were recognized: X. l. longipes (South Island Bushwren), X. l. stokesii (North Island Bushwren), and X. l. variabilis (Stewart Island Bushwren).

The Bushwren occupied dense undergrowth in native forests. Its diet consisted primarily of invertebrates, which it gleaned from foliage, bark, and the ground.

The North Island Bushwren was declared extinct in 1972, and the South Island Bushwren in 1968. The Stewart Island Bushwren persisted for longer but was last reliably sighted in 1972 and is now also considered extinct. Introduced mammalian predators, such as rats, cats, and stoats, are believed to have been the primary cause of their extinction, as the birds were particularly vulnerable due to their flightlessness and ground-nesting habits. Habitat loss also contributed to their decline.

The extinction of the Bushwren represents a significant loss of New Zealand's unique biodiversity. Specimens are held in museum collections, providing material for ongoing research into the species and its evolutionary history.