Ochre-browed Thistletail

Overview

The ochre-browed thistletail (Asthenes coryi) is a monotypic species of ovenbird endemic to the Andes of western Venezuela. It was historically considered a subspecies of the white-chinned thistletail but is now recognised as a distinct species.

Identification

• Measuring 16 to 18 cm in length, the bird features an ochraceous supercilium contrasting with a darker face and a dull ochraceous rufous forehead.
• The crown, back, rump, and tail are olive-brown, while the wings are a dull reddish brown and the underparts are pale gray-brown with a whitish belly.
• The tail is long, deeply forked, and ragged, with few barbs at the feather ends.
• The song is described as a dry, rattling trill that decelerates, while calls include a nasal 'meeeow' and a squeaky 'peeeap'.

Habitat

Found between the states of Trujillo and Táchira, this species inhabits páramo grasslands, taller páramo vegetation, the upper edge of cloudforest, and dense undergrowth at tree line. It typically occurs at elevations between 3,500 and 4,100 m, though it can be found as low as 2,800 m in cloudforest openings.

Diet

The bird feeds primarily on arthropods, with small amounts of seeds, gleaning prey mostly from foliage and small branches in the understory. It usually forages singly or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species feeding flocks, and occasionally feeds on the ground.

Did you know?

Nothing is currently known about the breeding biology of the ochre-browed thistletail.