Rusty-headed Spinetail Synallaxis fuscorufa Scientific name definitions

Rusty-headed Spinetail is a rare furnariid found only in northern Colombia. Restricted to the Santa Marta Mountains, this species is found in forest undergrowth and edge habitat between 2000 and 3000 meters in elevation. In appearance, it is largely rufous with a bright rusty-orange head, an olive-gray back and grayish flanks. In the Santa Martas, the Rusty-headed Spinetail is the only Synallaxis to be found, so it is rather easy to identify there. The species’ three-part song, which is frequently repeated, is a good way to detect this secretive species.

16–18 cm; 15–17 g. Plumage is bright reddish rufous  , apart from dark loral area  , dull greyish-olive back, olive flanks, concealed blackish bases of throat feathers; tail long, graduated, 10 rectrices with shafts slightly stiffened, tips pointed, outer webs slightly disintegrated, duller rufous; iris  reddish-brown; upper mandible black  , lower mandible blue-grey; tarsus and toes grey to blue-grey. Differs from S. unirufa in back colour, less contrasting loral area, black bases of throat feathers less extensive, tail duller. Sexes alike. Juvenile has much duller crown, underparts edged tawny-olive, faint barring on belly, light brown eyes, yellowish-pink lower mandible.

Santa Marta Mts of N Colombia.

Edge of montane evergreen forest  , overgrown clearings and second-growth scrub; mostly 2000–3000 m, locally down to 760 m.

Resident.

Arthropods. Forages usually in pairs. Gleans items from foliage and small branches within 1–2 m of ground.

Most frequent vocalization a nasal “dit-dit-du” c. 1 second long, final note descending and lower-pitched, often repeated at intervals of 1–4 seconds for long periods.

No information other than birds with large gonads in Jan–Jun.

VULNERABLE. Previously considered Near Threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Santa Marta Mountains EBA. Fairly common to common, but has very small range. Has suffered extensive habitat loss, and agricultural expansion, logging and burning continue to pose a threat.