Cobb’s wren is unique to the Falkland Islands. 2009 marked the 100th anniversary of Cobb’s Wren being described as a separate species. It is named after Arthur Cobb, a local farmer and amateur ornithologist who collected the type specimen on Carcass Island, off the west coast of West Falkland.

A special series of Falkland Islands stamps featuring Cobb’s Wren was issued on 10 November 2009 to commemorate its centenary.

Cobb’s wren has close relatives in southern South America, but differs from other wrens as it has learnt to forage along coastlines with large boulder beaches and accumulated seaweed, where there are rich pickings of small invertebrates including insects and sea lice. It is also partial to camel crickets and moth caterpillars in the tussac grass. It is rated as a globally threatened species primarily because of the destruction of its tussac grass habitat, the introduction of predators and its limited geographic range.

Today Cobb’s wren is totally restricted to outer islands that have remained free from introduced predators (principally rats). A Cobb’s Wren Species Action Plan (384kb PDF) has been drawn up and is being actioned by Falklands Conservation together with the Falkland Islands Government. The aim is to secure and increase the current small population within the Falkland archipelago.

To support its conservation work for this special bird, Falklands Conservation has now produced a Cobb’s Wren pack (price £4 from our webshop) which includes booklet about Cobb’s Wren and a pin badge.