White-collared Foliage-gleaner

Overview

The white-collared foliage-gleaner (Anabazenops fuscus) is a species of ovenbird endemic to eastern Brazil. Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it is a year-round resident found throughout its range, though its population is believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss.

Identification

• Length of approximately 20 cm with a large, wedge-shaped bill.
• Distinguishing features include a well-defined whitish supercilium, white throat, and a wide white band circling the entire neck, contrasting with a dark brown face.
• Plumage consists of a rich dark brown crown, lighter brown back, dark rufous tail, and grayish-buff underparts with a tawny tinge.
• Song includes a high, musical 'djepdjep---', a low-pitched 'tchook', and distinctive squeaky 'chek, jééurr' phrases.

Habitat

This species inhabits montane evergreen forests, both primary and secondary, in southeastern Brazil from Bahia and Minas Gerais south into Santa Catarina. It is closely associated with large thickets of bamboo at elevations between 350 and 1,200 m.

Diet

The white-collared foliage-gleaner feeds on arthropods, foraging mostly in the forest's middle levels and often joining mixed-species feeding flocks. It acrobatically climbs vertical stems to glean and probe for prey among green and dead leaves, with a significant portion of its feeding occurring on bamboo.

Did you know?

Although little is known about its breeding biology, the species is assumed to be monogamous and nests in natural cavities within branches.