Necklaced Spinetail

Overview

The necklaced spinetail (Synallaxis stictothorax) is a species of ovenbird in the family Furnariidae. It is a small bird found in Ecuador and Peru, where it is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its fairly large range and stable population.

Identification

• Length 11 to 13 cm and weight 10 to 14 g, making it one of the smallest members of its genus.
• Blackish face with a white supercilium and faint whitish streaks, combined with a white throat and buffy white breast featuring fine black streaks.
• Bright rufous tail and rufous wing coverts, contrasting with a dull grayish brown crown and dusky primaries.
• Song described as a short stuttering chatter ending with several squeaky emphasized notes, such as 'trrr-tr-tr-kweet...kweet', often sung in duet by pairs.

Habitat

The species inhabits arid scrublands and the edges of deciduous forest across a disjunct distribution in Ecuador and Peru. It occurs at elevations from near sea level up to 300 m in Ecuador and 400 m in Peru, where it remains a year-round resident.

Diet

This bird feeds on arthropods, foraging in pairs or as part of mixed-species flocks. It is more acrobatic than other members of its genus, gleaning prey from moss, live and dead leaves, and small branches usually within one or two metres of the ground.

Did you know?

Its nest is a ball of sticks with a side entrance, constructed up to 12 m above the ground in thorny trees or cacti and lined with feathers and soft seed down.