Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 2,499 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation through drainage and burning of wetlands for agriculture, mainly onion cultivation, and also cattle-farming, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
A short series of bubbling 'toe-a-twée' interspersed with churrs. Also a scolding 'churr' call.
Apolinar's Wren (Cistothorus apolinari) [XC45265]
by Bernabe Lopez-Lanus from Humedal de La Conejera (Bogota), Cundinamarca, Colombia (duet, song)
Apolinar's Wren (Cistothorus apolinari) [XC693421]
by Peter Boesman from PNN Sumap\u00e1z, laguna de Chisac\u00e1, Colombia (song)
Subspecies
Probably closely related to Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) and Merida Wren (Cistothorus meridae). Recently described subspecies hernandezi differs markedly from nominate in habitat requirements, social organization and vocalizations, and possibly represents a separate species. Further study is required.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
apolinari Chapman, 1914 - Cundinamarca and Boyacá, in Colombian Andes.
hernandezi Stiles & Caycedo, 2002 - Sumapaz massif (south of Bogotá), in Cundinamarca (Colombia).