Stripe-breasted Spinetail
Synallaxis cinnamomea
A distinctive-looking spinetail found from central Colombia to Trinidad and Tobago. Dark brown overall with rusty wings. Look for a whitish throat and dark streaking on chest. Some variation across range; populations differ in the amount of streaking and the presence or absence of a buffy eyebrow. Occurs in the understory of forests, edges, and scrubbier woodland from sea level to around 1,500 m. Like many other spinetails, skulky and difficult to see. Listen for squeaky nasal “peet-purr!” calls, often repeated.
Identification
The stripe-breasted spinetail is 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 15 to 23 g (0.53 to 0.81 oz). It has one of the shortest tails of genus Synallaxis. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies S. c. cinnamomea have a faint pale supercilium on an otherwise dull rufous face. Their crown, nape, back, rump, and uppertail coverts are rich brown. Their wings are rufous-chestnut with blackish tips on their flight feathers. Their tail is rich brown; it is graduated and the ends of the feathers lack barbs giving a spiny appearance. Their throat is streaked black on white. Their underparts are rufous with fulvous streaks (unique in Synallaxis); the belly is paler than the rest with duller streaks. Their iris is reddish to creamy brown to dark brown, their maxilla dark horn to black, their mandible gray-horn or pinkish with a dark horn tip, and their legs and feet black to grayish to pale gray-brown. Juveniles are browner than adults, with a less distinct and less black throat and less distinct streaks on the underparts.<p>The other subspecies of the stripe-breasted spinetail differ from the nominate and each other thus:<p>The dramatic plumage differences between the nominate and bolivari hint that the latter might be a separate species; "further work needed".
Taxonomy
The stripe-breasted spinetail has these seven subspecies:<p>The stripe-breasted spinetail is closely related to the ruddy spinetail (S. rutilans) and chestnut-throated spinetail (S. cherriei).
- Scientific name
- Synallaxis cinnamomea
- Authority
- Lafresnaye, 1843
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Furnariidae
- Genus
- Synallaxis
Range and habitat
The stripe-breasted spinetail has a disjunct distribution. The subspecies are found thus:<p>On the South American mainland the stripe-breasted spinetail inhabits a variety of landscapes, primarily subtropical and tropical deciduous forest, gallery forest, and arid montane and second-growth scrublands. It also inhabits undergrowth in the interior and edges of tropical lowland and lower montane forest, and locally occurs in second-growth woodlands and overgrown coffee plantations. On Trindad and Tobago it primarily inhabits the undergrowth of forests. In elevation it ranges between 800 and 3,100 m (2,600 and 10,200 ft) in Colombia and between 700 and 2,000 m (2,300 and 6,600 ft) in Venezuela.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The stripe-breasted spinetail is a year-round resident throughout its range.<p>The stripe-breasted spinetail feeds on arthropods. It typically forages in pairs and occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks. It gleans prey from foliage and branches up to about 2 m (7 ft) above the ground, and on the ground explores leaf litter for prey.<p>The stripe-breasted spinetail breeds at any time of the year on Trinidad and at a minimum between March and August on Tobago; its breeding season in Colombia and Venezuela are not known. Though it is a member of the ovenbird family, which is named for the clay nests many species make, the stripe-breasted spinetail constructs a globe of sticks and leaves with an entrance tunnel on top. It can be placed on sloping ground or in a bush up to about 3 m (10 ft) above the ground. The clutch size is three eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known.<p>The stripe-breasted spinetail's song is two notes, of which the second is lower but rising, " a nasal, sharp 'chík-kweek' or 'chúrt-wert' " that is often repeated for long periods. Its calls are a "soft, whining 'peeeur' or querulous 'chew' ".
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Whiskered Wren
Pheugopedius mystacalis
Fairly large wren, found in foothills and subtropics from Venezuela to western Ecuador. More often heard than seen; listen for rich whistled song usually given in widely spaced repeated phrases. Rufous above and pale grayish below, with striped black-and-white face pattern. Black bars on tail, unlike similar Plain-tailed Wren, which is found at higher elevations. Sexes similar. Skulks in thickets and tangles at the forest edge, usually in pairs.
Sumatran Laughingthrush
Garrulax bicolor
Stunning Sumatran endemic, now sadly in heavy decline due to poaching for the cagebird trade. Extirpated throughout much of former range, and now only present in more remote montane forests. Combination of dark body, bright white head, and black “mascara” is unique and unmistakable, but shy and reclusive habits make this bird more readily heard than seen; groups may suddenly erupt into a collective raucous cackling song which carries a considerable distance. Also gives a variety of hoots, rattles, and churrs.
Reichenow's Seedeater
Crithagra reichenowi
A gray-brown seedeater with a complex brown-and-white facial pattern and a yellow rump that is conspicuous in flight. Found in savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas, usually in small flocks. Similar to Yellow-rumped Serin, but has a stronger facial pattern and usually more streaking below. Separated from White-rumped Seedeater by the yellow rump and the more strongly patterned face. Also similar to Yellow-throated and Salvadori’s Serins, but separated by the white rather than yellow throat. The song is a constant stream of musical whistles and trills.
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