Xenerpestes minlosi
The Double-banded Greytail (*Xenerpestes minlosi*) is a small, enigmatic passerine, measuring approximately 12-14 cm in length and weighing a delicate 9-12 grams. Its plumage is predominantly a soft, unstreaked grey, fading to a paler, almost whitish belly and vent. The most distinctive field mark, giving the species its common name, is the presence of two narrow, contrasting white bands across the central rectrices of its otherwise grey tail, a feature prominently displayed when the tail is ...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane evergreen forests, cloud forests, and dense forest edges, typically found at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,000 meters above sea level.
The diet consists primarily of small arthropods, including various insects (e.g., beetles, ants, larvae) and spiders, which are obtained through active gleaning from foliage and small branches.
The Double-banded Greytail is a highly active, diurnal species, spending most of its time gleaning insects from the mid-story to canopy layers of its forest habitat. It exhibits remarkable agility, often hanging upside down, clambering along slender branches, or making quick aerial sallies to cap...
The Double-banded Greytail is a resident species with a somewhat disjunct distribution across northern South America and Central America. In South America, its primary range encompasses the humid Andean foothills of Colombia, Ecuador, and extends into extreme northern Peru, typically found within...
Near Threatened
- Despite its name, the Double-banded Greytail is not related to grebes; 'Greytail' simply refers to its prominent grey tail. - Its distinctive double white bands on the tail are unique among most Furnariids, making it a key identification feature. - This tiny bird is an acrobatic master, often s...