Bahia spinetail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bahia spinetail |
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| Boa Nova, Bahia | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Synallaxis
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| Species: |
cinerea
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| Synonyms | |
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Synallaxis whitneyi |
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The Bahia spinetail (Synallaxis cinerea) is a special bird found only in Brazil. It belongs to the ovenbird family, called Furnariidae. This bird is currently listed as Near Threatened. This means it needs our help to protect its home and make sure it thrives.
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Meet the Bahia Spinetail
What Makes It Unique?
For a long time, people thought the Bahia spinetail was just a type of rufous-capped spinetail. But now, most experts agree it's its own unique species! This makes it even more special.
What Does It Look Like?
The Bahia spinetail is a small bird, about 15 to 17 centimeters (6 to 7 inches) long. It weighs about 16 to 21 grams (0.6 to 0.7 ounces). Both male and female birds look the same.
They have a wide, light brown stripe above their eyes. Their cheeks and ear feathers are brownish-gray. The top of their head and neck are a bright orange-red color. Their back and tail feathers are a reddish-brown. Their wings are mostly chestnut-brown.
Their tail is chestnut-colored and has pointed tips. Their chin has a tiny light brown spot. The rest of their throat is whitish with light gray stripes. Their belly and chest are dark grayish. Their eyes are reddish-brown or dark brown. Their beak is dark gray, and their legs and feet are olive to dark gray.
Where Does the Bahia Spinetail Live?
Its Home in Brazil
The Bahia spinetail lives in a very small part of eastern Brazil. You can find it in southern Bahia and northeastern Minas Gerais. It stays in this area all year long.
Preferred Habitat
This bird likes to live in the thick undergrowth of mountain evergreen forests. It especially loves the edges of these forests. These areas are often full of vines, ferns, and bamboo. It usually lives at elevations between 500 and 1000 meters (1,600 to 3,300 feet) high.
How Does the Bahia Spinetail Live?
What Does It Eat?
The Bahia spinetail mainly eats arthropods, which are like insects and spiders. It usually hunts for food in pairs. They search for food by picking at and poking into dead leaves and small branches. They typically feed about 1 to 2 meters (3 to 7 feet) above the ground. Sometimes, they will even look for food on the ground or as high as 5 meters (16 feet) up.
What Does It Sound Like?
The Bahia spinetail has a special song. It sounds like a double note: "di-réét, di-réét." Both birds in a pair sing this song together. Their call is a quick, dry sound, like "rutrut-."
Protecting the Bahia Spinetail
Its Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) keeps track of how many of these birds are left. They first said the Bahia spinetail was "Endangered" in 2000. Then, in 2004, it was "Vulnerable." Since 2016, it has been listed as "Near Threatened."
Why Is It Threatened?
This bird has a very small home range. Experts believe there are only about 4,400 to 13,200 adult birds left. This number seems to be going down. Even though its home is small, new groups of these birds are still being found. This means there might be more than we think!
However, the places where it lives are being broken up. Forests are being cleared for farms, ranches, and logging. Even protected areas, like Chapada da Diamantina National Park, suffer from illegal logging. It is important to protect these forests so the Bahia spinetail can continue to thrive.
