Acanthisittidae -

New Zealand's smallest bird; still relatively common in forested areas .

rock wrens have become increasingly rare, largely due to unsustainable predation by invasive mammalian predators [12,16]. PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov) acanthisittidae

The family , commonly known as New Zealand wrens, represents one of the most evolutionarily significant lineages in the avian world . These birds are the sister group to all other passerines (songbirds), making them a "living fossil" lineage that provides a unique window into the early evolution of half of all living bird species . Taxonomy and Diversity New Zealand's smallest bird; still relatively common in

The family is currently comprised of only two surviving species, though it was historically much more diverse . These birds are the sister group to all

The family famously included the Lyall's Wren , a flightless species from Stephens Island, and the Bush Wren , which has had no confirmed sightings since the 1960s . Key Evolutionary Traits