Dusky spinetail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dusky spinetail |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Synallaxis
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| Species: |
moesta
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The dusky spinetail (Synallaxis moesta) is a small bird that belongs to the ovenbird family called Furnariidae. It lives in parts of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This bird is known for its dark feathers and its home in the Andean foothills.
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About the Dusky Spinetail
The dusky spinetail has three different types, called subspecies. They are S. m. moesta, S. m. brunneicaudalis, and S. m. obscura. Scientists like Philip Sclater and Frank Chapman helped name and describe these birds a long time ago.
What Does a Dusky Spinetail Look Like?
The dusky spinetail is about 15.5 to 17 centimeters (6 to 6.7 inches) long. It weighs between 20 and 25 grams (0.7 to 0.9 ounces). This bird is one of the darkest spinetails. Both male and female dusky spinetails look the same.
Adult birds have a dark, sooty-gray face. Their head is blackish-gray in front and dark chestnut at the back. Their back is dark sooty-brown, and their rump is a bit lighter. Their wings are dark chestnut with dark tips on the flight feathers. Their tail is dark chestnut and has pointed tips.
Their chin is blackish-gray, and their belly is mostly dark sooty-brown. Their eyes are reddish-brown, and their beak is dark gray or black. Their legs and feet are greenish-gray. Young birds have a gray head and more grayish feathers on their belly. The different subspecies have slight differences in how dark their feathers are.
Where Do Dusky Spinetails Live?
Dusky spinetails live in the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
- The S. m. moesta subspecies lives in central Colombia.
- The S. m. obscura subspecies is found in southern Colombia.
- The S. m. brunneicaudalis subspecies lives from southwestern Colombia, through central Ecuador, and into northeastern Peru.
These birds like to live at the edges of different types of forests. This includes forests near rivers and tropical evergreen forests. They also live in forests that have grown back after being cut down. They prefer areas with thick plants and sometimes live near bamboo. They usually live at elevations between 250 and 1350 meters (820 to 4430 feet) high. In Colombia, they can be found even higher, up to 1600 meters (5250 feet).
How Do Dusky Spinetails Behave?
Staying in One Place
Dusky spinetails do not migrate. They stay in the same area all year long.
What Do They Eat?
Scientists don't know a lot about what dusky spinetails eat or how they find food. They likely eat small insects and other arthropods. They pick these tiny creatures from leaves and small branches. They usually search for food about 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6.5 feet) above the ground. You will often see them in pairs.
Raising Young
The nesting season for dusky spinetails is not fully known, but it includes February. One nest that was found was shaped like a ball of sticks. It had an entrance tube on the side and was placed in a thick tangle of vines. Not much else is known about how they raise their young.
What Sounds Do They Make?
The dusky spinetail makes a low, chattering or purring sound. It sounds like "rha-a-a-a-a-a-a-a". Scientists are not sure if this sound is a song or just a call.
Protecting the Dusky Spinetail
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has assessed the dusky spinetail's status. It is currently listed as a species of "Least Concern." This means it is not in immediate danger of disappearing.
However, the number of dusky spinetails is thought to be decreasing. The biggest threat to this bird is the cutting down of forests in the Amazon basin. They are sensitive to changes in their habitat and do not live in areas where many trees have been cut down. They are considered uncommon and are found in a narrow band of elevation. This area is often used for farming, which puts pressure on their habitat.
