Orinoco Softtail

Overview

The Orinoco softtail (Thripophaga cherriei) is a Vulnerable species of ovenbird found in south-central Venezuela and adjacent Colombia. As a member of the Furnariidae family, it occupies a very small elevational range in dense forest understories.

Identification

• Length ranges from 15.5 to 17.5 cm with sexes displaying identical plumage.
• Features a conspicuous tawny orange chin, chestnut rufous upper throat, and dark red iris.
• Back is rufescent brown with an olive cast, while the breast is raw umber brown with sharp buff streaks.
• Song consists of 2–4 nasal notes followed by a rattled series of short notes, often sung in duet in the early morning.

Habitat

Inhabits the dense understory along watercourses in várzea forest where vines and bamboo are prominent. Found in south-central Venezuela and in the Colombian departments of Guainía and Vichada, strictly between 120 and 150 m above sea level.

Diet

The specific diet has not been described, but one observation recorded the bird foraging in dead leaves and on vines in the forest understory. It has also been observed participating in mixed-species foraging flocks.

Did you know?

The specific epithet cherriei honours George Kruck Cherrie, who collected the first two specimens in 1899 on the Orinoco River.