New Zealand wren

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Acanthisittidae | image = Xenicus lyalli.jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = Xenicus lyalli | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Passeriformes | familia = Acanthisittidae | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision =

Acanthisitta
Xenicus
Pachyplichas
Dendroscansor

}} The New Zealand "wrens", family Acanthisittidae, are tiny passerines restricted to New Zealand.

They are understood to form a distinct lineage within the passerines, but authorities differ on their assignment to the oscines or suboscines (the two suborders that between them make up the passeriformes). DNA-DNA hybridisation studies suggest that they may, in fact, form a third suborder and have no living close relatives at all. They are called "wrens" due to their similar appearance and behavior, but are not related to true wrens.

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Species

Titipounamu or Rifleman, Acanthisitta chloris
Bush Wren, Xenicus longipes (possibly extinct)
Piwauwau or Rock Wren, Xenicus gilviventris
Stephens Island Wren, Xenicus lyalli (extinct)
North Island Stout-legged Wren, Pachyplichas yaldwyni (extinct in prehistoric times)
South Island Stout-legged Wren, Pachyplichas jagmi (extinct in prehistoric times)
Long-legged Wren, Dendroscansor decurvirostris (extinct in prehistoric times)de:Maorischlüpfer