White-browed tit-spinetail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-browed tit-spinetail |
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Leptasthenura
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xenothorax
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The white-browed tit-spinetail (Leptasthenura xenothorax) is a small bird that lives only in Peru. It belongs to a bird family called Furnariidae, which are often known as "ovenbirds" because some of them build nests that look like old ovens. This special bird lives in wet, cool forests high up in the mountains. Sadly, its home is shrinking, which means this bird is in danger.
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Discovering the White-browed Tit-Spinetail
This unique bird was first described in 1921 by a scientist named Frank Chapman. He was an ornithologist, which is a person who studies birds. Chapman helped us learn about many different bird species, including this one with its distinctive white eyebrow.
What Does It Look Like?
The white-browed tit-spinetail is a small bird, usually about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) long. It gets its name from a clear white stripe above its eye, which looks like an eyebrow. Its feathers are mostly dull brown or gray, helping it blend in with the trees. It also has a long, pointed tail, which is common for birds in the "tit-spinetail" group. This tail often looks spiky or "spiny" because of the way its feathers are shaped.
Where Does It Live?
This bird is endemic to Peru. This means it can only be found naturally in Peru and nowhere else in the world. It lives in a specific type of environment called a subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. Imagine forests that are high up in the mountains, where it's often misty and wet. These forests are full of tall trees, moss, and other plants that thrive in cool, damp conditions. The white-browed tit-spinetail prefers to live at high altitudes, usually between 2,900 and 4,000 meters (9,500 to 13,000 feet) above sea level.
What Does It Eat?
Like many small birds, the white-browed tit-spinetail mostly eats insects and other tiny invertebrates. It forages, or searches for food, among the leaves and branches of trees and shrubs. Its small size and quick movements help it find hidden bugs to eat.
Protecting This Bird
The biggest threat to the white-browed tit-spinetail is habitat loss. This happens when the forests where it lives are cut down or changed by human activities. For example, land might be cleared for farming, logging, or building. When its forest home disappears, the bird has fewer places to live, find food, and raise its young. Because this bird lives only in a small area of Peru and its habitat is shrinking, it is considered an "endangered" species. This means there are concerns about its future, and efforts are being made to protect its forest home.
See also
In Spanish: Tijeral cejiblanco para niños
