Stripe-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis cinnamomea Scientific name definitions

Vocally the Stripe-breasted Spinetail is much like other Synallaxis spinetails, but its plumage is quite different compared to many other species. The upperparts and tail are rich to dull brown, sometimes with slightly warmer or more rufous-colored wings, whilst the throat is whitish streaked black. The ground color of the underparts is largely concolorous with the upperparts, but variably marked (according to subspecies) either with whitish shaft streaks, or heavier and more extensive dark streaking. Amongst the seven widely recognized subspecies there is also considerable variation in the throat pattern and the overall color above and below. The Stripe-breasted Spinetail’s main range occupies wooded habitats north of the Orinoco River in Venezuela, but also reaches the East Andes of northeast Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago. It is found at elevations below approximately 2000 m.

14–15 cm; 15–23 g. Relatively short-tailed Synallaxis with unusual pattern, conspicuously streaked below. Nominate race has dark dull rufous face and vague super­cilium, rich brown crown and upperparts; wings rufous-chestnut, remiges with blackish tips; tail graduated, either 8 or 10 rectrices, degree of individual variation differing geographically, sharply pointed, distal 1–2 mm nearly lacking barbs and giving “spiny” appearance, shafts somewhat stiffened, rich brown; throat black with white streaks; underparts rufous with fulvous streaks, belly paler with streaks duller; iris reddish to creamy brown to dark (source of variation uncertain); upper mandible dark horn to black, lower mandible grey-horn or pinkish blending to dark horn tip; tarsus and toes black to greyish to pale grey-brown. Sexes alike. Juvenile is browner, throat pattern much less distinct, not so black and spots weakly defined, streaks below less distinct. Race aveledoi is paler and more yellowish-brown above, buff with dusky streaks below; bolivari  is more olivaceous above  , has whitish chin and throat, throat with wavy black streaks, breast and sides light buffy cinnamon with conspicuous blackish streaks, belly buffy whitish with less conspicuous streaks, flanks and undertail-coverts brownish with some faint streaks; striatipectus has darker upperparts, chestnut wings and tail, conspicuous buff supercilium, ochraceous face and neck with blackish edging, ochraceous and heavily streaked blackish below; <em>pariae</em> resembles previous, but supercilium less distinct, streaks below duller and more olivaceous (not blackish), belly with fewer streaks; carri is dark brown above, no supercilium, throat blacker with narrower white streaking, underparts dull olive-brown with only faint streaking; terrestris is palest, generally more olivaceous brown, unstreaked below except for some blurred streaks on breast.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Arthropods; flying ants recorded as taken. Usually in pairs, occasionally in small mixed-species flocks. Gleans items from foliage and small branches within 1–2 m of ground; also gleans and flakes leaf litter on ground .

Little geographical variation. Song  a nasal, sharp “chík-kweek” or “chúrt-wert”, first note higher, second inflected, often repeated rapidly for extended periods; also gives soft, whining “peeeur” or querulous “chew”.