Planalto Foliage-gleaner

Syndactyla dimidiata

The Planalto Foliage-gleaner (Syndactyla dimidiata) is a small, robust Neotropical passerine, a member of the Furnariidae family, commonly known as ovenbirds. Measuring approximately 17-18 cm (6.7-7.1 inches) in length and weighing around 28-32 grams, this bird is characterized by its warm rufous-brown upperparts and rich tawny-buff to cinnamon-rufous underparts. A prominent buffy supercilium contrasting with a dark eyestripe is a key identification mark, complemented by its stout, straight b...

Habitat

Found primarily in humid montane Atlantic Forest, inhabiting dense understory and bamboo thickets at elevations typically ranging from 200 to 1600 meters.

Diet

Feeds primarily on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods, which it gleans from foliage, bark, and twigs.

Behavior

This diurnal species is generally observed singly or in pairs, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks to exploit food resources. It employs a distinctive foraging strategy, meticulously gleaning insects and other arthropods from leaves, twigs, and bark, frequently hanging upside down to acce...

Range

The Planalto Foliage-gleaner is a resident species found exclusively in southeastern South America. Its primary range encompasses the Atlantic Forest biome of southern Brazil, extending through the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. Further distrib...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- The 'Planalto' in its name refers to the Brazilian Highlands, a significant part of its habitat. - It's a member of the Furnariidae family, known as 'ovenbirds' for the elaborate, often oven-shaped nests of many species, though the Planalto Foliage-gleaner's nest remains poorly documented. - De...

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