Rufous-breasted leaftosser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rufous-breasted leaftosser |
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| at Serra da Cantareira State Park, São Paulo State, Brazil | |
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| Genus: |
Sclerurus
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| Species: |
scansor
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The rufous-breasted leaftosser (scientific name: Sclerurus scansor) is a type of bird. It belongs to a group called leaftossers and miners. These birds are part of the ovenbird family known as Furnariidae. You can find this bird in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
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Understanding the Rufous-breasted Leaftosser
The way scientists classify the rufous-breasted leaftosser can be a bit tricky. Different groups have slightly different ideas.
The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and the Clements taxonomy say there are two main types, or subspecies. These are the main type, S. s. scansor, and another type called S. s. cearensis.
However, BirdLife International sees them as two completely separate species. They call them the rufous-breasted leaftosser and the Ceara leaftosser. The South American Classification Committee also doesn't see the "Ceara leaftosser" as a separate species.
For this article, we will follow the idea that it is one species with two subspecies.
Scientists also know that the rufous-breasted leaftosser and the grey-throated leaftosser are very closely related. They are like "sister species."
What Does the Rufous-breasted Leaftosser Look Like?
The rufous-breasted leaftosser is one of the bigger birds in its group. It is about 17.5 to 20.1 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) long. It weighs between 30 and 41 grams (1.1 to 1.4 ounces). Male and female birds look very similar.
The main subspecies, S. s. scansor, has a dark brownish face. Its head is very dark brown with blackish patterns. Its back is a rich dark brown. The lower back (rump) is bright chestnut, and the feathers covering the top of its tail are also chestnut.
Its wings are dark reddish-brown. The tail is a sooty black color. The throat is a pale grayish-white. The upper chest is a dull reddish-brown with a scaly look. A wide, yellowish-brown band crosses the middle of its chest. Its belly and sides are dark olive-brown with chestnut colors.
Its eyes are dark brown. The upper part of its beak is black, and the lower part is black with a whitish base. Its legs and feet are blackish-brown. Young birds look like adults but are generally darker.
The S. s. cearensis subspecies is a little smaller. It has a clear white throat without scales. Its upper and lower body parts are also slightly brighter in color.
Where Does the Leaftosser Live?
The main subspecies of the rufous-breasted leaftosser lives in central Brazil. This includes the states of Mato Grosso, Goiás, and Minas Gerais. It also lives south into Rio Grande do Sul and through eastern Paraguay. You can also find it in northeastern Argentina in Misiones Province.
These birds mostly live in lowland tropical rainforests. They also live in mountain evergreen forests. Sometimes, they are found in older secondary forests (forests that have grown back after being cut down). They live from near sea level up to about 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) high.
The "Ceara" subspecies lives separately in northeastern Brazil. It is found between Ceará and Bahia. This subspecies lives in the inner parts of forests called brejos de altitude. These are humid forests found in the drier Caatinga region. They live at elevations between 550 and 1,050 meters (1,800 to 3,400 feet).
Leaftosser Behavior and Habits
Movement and Migration
The main subspecies of the rufous-breasted leaftosser stays in its home area all year. It does not migrate. The "Ceara" subspecies is also thought to stay in its area all year.
How the Leaftosser Finds Food
The main subspecies of the rufous-breasted leaftosser mostly looks for food on the ground. It flips aside leaves with its beak. It also probes the ground and picks up food from the leaf litter. It moves by hopping instead of walking.
This bird usually hunts alone. Sometimes, it hunts in pairs. It might also join groups of different bird species that are foraging together. We don't know all the details of its diet. However, it has been seen eating beetles, spiders, and true bugs.
The "Ceara" subspecies' diet is not fully known. But scientists believe it mainly eats arthropods (like insects and spiders). It is also thought to find food in the same way as the main subspecies.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists believe the main subspecies of the rufous-breasted leaftosser breeds in the southern spring and summer. It builds its nest in a burrow. The burrow has a chamber at the end with a cup made of leaves. This burrow might be in an earthen bank or in the roots of a fallen tree.
The female usually lays two or three eggs. We do not know much about how the "Ceara" leaftosser breeds.
Leaftosser Sounds and Calls
The songs and calls of the two rufous-breasted leaftosser subspecies are different.
The song of the main subspecies is a sharp, metallic, descending trill. It sometimes ends with a chattering sound. It can also start or end with "tsik, tsik" notes. Its call is a loud "spix, spix-spix-spix."
The "Ceara" subspecies' song is a fast rattling sound. This is followed by a series of piping, upward-slurred whistles.
Conservation Status: Is the Leaftosser Safe?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) looks at the two subspecies separately. This is because they follow the HBW (Handbook of the Birds of the World) classification.
The main subspecies is listed as "Least Concern." This means it is not currently at high risk of disappearing. It lives in a large area. We don't know its exact population size, but it is thought to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been found. It is considered rare in some places and fairly common in others. It lives in many protected areas. However, much of its habitat has been cut down. Even small amounts of logging can greatly reduce its numbers.
The "Ceara" leaftosser is listed as "Vulnerable." This means it is at a higher risk of becoming endangered. It lives in a somewhat small area. Its population size is unknown but is believed to be decreasing. Its forest home has been greatly reduced and broken into smaller pieces. This clearing of forests continues. This species is thought to be very sensitive to any changes in its habitat. It is believed to live in less than 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles) within its larger estimated range of 658,000 square kilometers (254,000 square miles). It does live in a few protected areas.
