Xenicus

Xenicus is a genus of birds in the family Acanthisittidae. It contains New Zealand wrens.

Species

 * New Zealand rock wren, Xenicus gilviventris
 * Bushwren, †Xenicus longipes (extinct)
 * South Island stout-legged wren, †X. yaldwyni – South Island, New Zealand
 * North Island stout-legged wren, †X. jagmi – North Island, New Zealand

Lyall's wren was classified as Xenicus lyalli but is quite divergent, so it is placed in its own genus, Traversia.

Taxonomy
The stout-legged wrens formed a species pair. They had reduced wings and robust legs indicating that they were adapted to a terrestrial existence and were either flightless or nearly so. Genetic evidence has indicated that the former genus Pachyplichas is nested within Xenicus, and stout legged wrens must have evolved from a gracile legged ancestor. A cladogram is given below.