Speckled Spinetail (Cranioleuca gutturata)

Identification & Behavior: ~15 cm (6 in). The Speckled Spinetail has rufous wings, tail, and crown. It has broad and buffy superciliary and white iris. The mantle is brown. The underparts are whitish buff speckled with black. The chin is buffy in some individuals. It forages in the canopy of the forest in Amazonia often in the company of mixed species flocks. It superficially resembles a Thrush-like Wren but is distinguished by having rufous wings, crown, and tail. Also, see some of the larger foliage-gleaners.

Status: The Speckled Spinetail is uncommon and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1100 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Cola-Espina Jaspeado.

Sub-species: Speckled Spinetail (Cranioleuca gutturata), d’Orbigny and Lafresnaye, 1838.

Meaning of Name: Cranioleuca: Gr. kranion= skull, head and leukos= white. gutturata: L. guttur, gutturis= throat, gullet. Gutturatus, gutturate= of the throat.

See more of the Family Furnariidae