| Spix's spinetail | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Furnariidae |
| Genus: | Synallaxis |
| Species: | S. spixi |
| Binomial name | |
| Synallaxis spixi Sclater, PL, 1856 | |
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Spix's spinetail (Synallaxis spixi), previously known as the chicli spinetail [2] , is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. [3]
Spix's spinetail is monotypic. [3] However, what is now the cinereous-breasted spinetail (S. hypospodia) was previously treated as a subspecies of it. The two are considered sister species. [2]
The species' English name and specific epithet commemorate the German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix (1782-1826). [4] The previous name "chicli spinetail" is supposedly onomatopeoic, but does not resemble the species' song. It is thought to have once been more properly applied to the sooty-fronted spinetail (S. frontalis). [5]
Spix's spinetail is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs about 12 to 15 g (0.42 to 0.53 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a pale gray supercilium on an otherwise grayish brown face. Their crown is rufous and their back, rump and uppertail coverts dark brown. Their lesser wing coverts are rufous, their median and greater wing coverts dark brown with wide rufous edges, and their flight feathers dark brown. Their tail is dark brown; it is graduated and the central feathers have pointed tips. Their throat is grayish white; the lower throat feathers are black with grayish edges. Their breast is brownish gray, their belly a paler brownish gray, and their flanks and undertail coverts browner. Their iris is reddish brown to pale orange, their maxilla black, their mandible gray, and their legs and feet gray to greenish gray. Juveniles have a grayish brown crown, ochraceous brown underparts, and a less distinct throat patch than the nominate. [5] [6] [7]
Spix's spinetail is found from Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo in southeastern Brazil south through eastern Paraguay and essentially all of Uruguay into Argentina as far as Buenos Aires Province. It inhabits a wide variety of landscapes in the Atlantic Forest biome, where it tends to stay low in dense undergrowth. Examples include fields and pastures, gallery forest, campo rupestres , restinga , savanna, and brushy second growth. In elevation it ranges from near sea level to 2,200 m (7,200 ft) though in Brazil its maximum is 2,050 m (6,700 ft). [5] [6] [7]
Spix's spinetail is a year-round resident throughout its range. [1]
The diet of Spix's spinetail is not known in detail but includes insects. It typically forages in pairs, usually in the understorey and sometimes on the ground. It usually stays within about 5 m (16 ft) of the ground but has been observed feeding significantly higher. [5]
The breeding season of Spix's spinetail has not been fully defined but includes November to February. Its nest is an elongated dome of spiny sticks with a long lateral entrance tube, placed in a shrub or bush up to about 2 m (7 ft) above the ground. The inner chamber is lined with softer material such as moss, hair, and small leaves, and almost always shed skins of snakes and lizards. The known clutches ranged from two to five eggs. The incubation period, time to fledging, and details of parental care are not known. [5]
The song of Spix's spinetail has been described as "a five syllable phrase, last four notes with bubbling quality: sweet! bee bee bee bee . . . . . .sweet! bee bee bee bee . . . ." [8] and a repeated "wee'tiddledidee....wee'tiddledidee" [7] . Another vocalization is a "4- or 5-noted 'wuh-wididit' ". [6]
The IUCN has assessed Spix's spinetail as being of Least Concern. It has a large range; its population size is not known but is believed to be increasing. No immediate threats have been identified. [1] It is considered fairly common to very common. It "occupies dense, shrubby second growth; this species probably benefits from deforestation, at least as long as dense, low woody vegetation is retained". [5]
The slaty spinetail or slaty castlebuilder,, is a passerine bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found from Honduras south to Peru.
Synallaxis is a genus of birds in the ovenbird family, Furnariidae. It is one of the most diverse genera in the family and is composed of small birds that inhabit dense undergrowth across tropical and subtropical habitats in the Neotropical region. Some species show contrasting plumage patterns involving rufous crown and wing patches and black throat patches but they are difficult to see as they keep ensconced in vegetation most of the time. Most species show the long graduated tail with pointy feathers that is typical of spinetails. They are also characterized by constructing large domed nests with stick, including a long entrance tube. Some species can be difficult to distinguish from one another on the basis of their plumage, but can be told apart by their vocalizations, which can be quite distinctive.
The stripe-crowned spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The great spinetail is a Near Threatened species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Peru.
The dark-breasted spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Cabanis's spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.
The grey-bellied spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The Bahia spinetail is a Near Threatened species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
The cinereous-breasted spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru.
Pinto's spinetail is an Endangered species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to north-eastern Brazil. It is known locally as "tatac".
McConnell's spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
The Maranon spinetail is a Critically Endangered species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
The dusky spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The white-bellied spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru.
The rufous-capped spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
The ochre-cheeked spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru.
The necklaced spinetail is a species of ovenbird in the family Furnariidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
The silvery-throated spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Colombia.
The russet-bellied spinetail is a Vulnerable species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Peru.
The Chinchipe spinetail is a species of bird in the family Furnariidae, the ovenbirds. It is endemic to Peru.
