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New Zealand wren

Acanthisittidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Acanthisittidae
Genera
AcanthisittaRifleman
Xenicus
Traversia(extinct)
Pachyplichas(extinct)

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). DND-DNA hybridisation studies suggest that they may, in fact, form a third suborder and have no living close relatives at all.

Six species are known, in four genera. At least three, more probably four of the six species are extinct.