- Synallaxis zimmeri
Identification
13 cm. An atypical Synallaxis Spinetail.
- Blackish loreal area, slightly paler auriculars, broken whitish eyering and vague grey-brown supercilium
- Grey crown blending to dull dark brownish back
- Contrasting bright rufous uppertail-coverts
- Dark rufous wing-coverts, dull brownish remiges
- Graduated tail with 10 rectrices, dark fuscous central pair, rest rufous
- Whitish chin, blending to grey-brown throat and upper breast, faintly streaked
- Rufous rest of underparts, sligthly paler in centre of belly, darker on undertail-coverts
Sexes similar. Juveniles similar but with shorter and paler bill.
Distribution
Found in a small area in the western Andes of central Peru (Ancash).
Uncommon to locally common in its range. Probably declining due to habitat destruction.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Some authors suggest it should be placed in a separate genus, song and nest however are very similar to those of many congeners.
Habitat
High-altitude shrubland, usually thorny, often at edge of dry forest.
Occurs at 2100-2800 m, mostly above 2500 m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on winged insects and spider, takes also seeds and plant material.
Forages in pairs, rarely in mixed-species flocks, from understorey to ground.
Breeding
A monogamous species. Nestlings recorded in May. The nest is a globular mass, made of thorny twigs and lined with leaf rachides. It's placed 3.5 to 4.2 m above the ground in a tall shrub or a small tree in dense forest. Lays 2 eggs.
Movements
This is a resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and D Christie, eds. 2003. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 8: Broadbills to Tapaculos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334504
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Russet-bellied Spinetail. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Russet-bellied_Spinetail
