Uniform Treehunter
Thripadectes ignobilis
Medium-sized brownish bird of the lower subtropical zone in the western Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. Plain dark brown with much less streaking than other treehunters; only shows a slightly paler eyebrow and some streaking on the throat. Typically found at lower elevations than other treehunters in range, but some overlap. Western Woodhaunter is found at similar elevations but has a longer, narrower bill and a paler buffy throat. Singles or pairs follow mixed-species flocks through the understory, where they can be skulky and difficult to see. Listen for the song: a slow series of 5-10 squeaky notes.
Identification
The uniform treehunter is 19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 7.9 in) long and weighs between 48 and 51 g (1.7 and 1.8 oz). It is the smallest, darkest, and shortest-billed member of its genus. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a vague narrow supercilium and wide eyering that are dull tawny-rufous, blackish brown lores grizzled with pale buff, blackish ear coverts with narrow ochraceous-buff streaks, and a dark brown malar area with lighter blurry streaks and spots. Their crown is dark brown with vague pale spots on the forehead. Their back and rump are slightly paler and redder than the crown. Their wings and tail are rich dark reddish brown. Their throat is dull dark buff with wide blurry darker streaks, their breast and belly rich dark brown with narrow buff streaks that disappear to the rear, their flanks dark reddish brown, and their undertail coverts a paler reddish brown. Their iris is dark brown, their maxilla dark brownish, their mandible blackish with a reddish horn base to dusky yellow with a dark tip, and their legs and feet greenish brown.
Taxonomy
The uniform treehunter is a sister species of the flammulated treehunter (T. flammulatus) and Peruvian treehunter (T. scrutator). It is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Thripadectes ignobilis
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1879)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Furnariidae
- Genus
- Thripadectes
Range and habitat
The uniform treehunter is found on the Pacific slope of the Andes from Colombia's Western Andes in Chocó Department south through Ecuador to El Oro Province. It inhabits montane evergreen forest and also secondary forest in the subtropical and foothill zones. In elevation it mostly ranges between 500 and 2,500 m (1,600 and 8,200 ft) in Colombia and between 1,000 and 1,700 m (3,300 and 5,600 ft) in Ecuador. In both countries it occurs locally down to 500 m (1,600 ft) and in Ecuador locally up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The uniform treehunter is a year-round resident throughout its range.<p>The uniform treehunter feeds on arthropods. It usually forages singly and often in mixed-species feeding flocks. It mostly forages in dense undergrowth but regularly will do so up to the forest's mid-story and above. It forages along branches to glean prey from them, debris, and dead leaves.<p>The uniform treehunter's nesting season has not been fully described but spans at least June to September. It is thought to be monogamous. It nests in a tunnel in an earthen bank. Nothing else is known about its breeding biology.<p>The uniform treehunter's song is a rather high-pitched "series of 6-8 sharp 'kik' or 'kyip' notes".
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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An attractive and distinctive chat of the Abyssinian highlands. Both sexes have dark upperparts and a large white patch in the middle of the wing. Males have a clean black hood and a red-orange belly, while females appear entirely dark save for the white wing patch, though close inspection reveals fine barring on the belly and rufous tones near the vent. Similar to Mocking Cliff-Chat, but easily separated by the white patch in the middle of the wing, rather than on the shoulder. The pretty, thrush-like song consists of low whistles and burry notes in short phrases.
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark
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Bearded Wood-Partridge
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Very elusive, chickenlike bird of humid evergreen forest in foothills and highlands; scarce and very local in eastern Mexico where it is endemic. Usually in pairs or small groups on the forest floor. May be seen beside quiet trails and roads early and late in the day; runs away quickly and rarely flies. Note the blue-gray face and throat, red bill and eyering, and rusty breast. Loud rollicking songs are given mainly early and late in the day and most often reveal its presence.
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