Synallaxis hellmayri
The Red-shouldered Spinetail (Synallaxis hellmayri) is a small, enigmatic passerine bird belonging to the Furnariidae family, often referred to as ovenbirds, known for their elaborate nests. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length and weighing around 12-14 grams, this species exhibits a subtle yet distinctive plumage. Its overall coloration is a rather plain brownish-olive, but the key identifying feature is a striking rufous-chestnut patch on its shoulder, contrasting wit...
This spinetail primarily inhabits subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, open woodland, and gallery forest edges, often favoring areas with dense undergrowth. It is typically found at low to moderate elevations, generally below 600 meters (2,000 feet).
Primarily insectivorous, its diet consists mainly of small insects and their larvae, including beetles, ants, and spiders. It forages by gleaning from foliage and small branches within dense cover.
The Red-shouldered Spinetail is a rather secretive and inconspicuous bird, often staying hidden within dense vegetation. It typically forages low in the undergrowth, actively gleaning insects from leaves, twigs, and bark, often with a rapid, mouse-like movement. These birds are generally observed...
The Red-shouldered Spinetail is endemic to a relatively restricted region of central-western South America. Its primary range encompasses eastern Bolivia, specifically within the departments of Santa Cruz and Beni, extending into southwestern Brazil. In Brazil, it is found in the states of Mato G...
Least Concern
- The Red-shouldered Spinetail's scientific name, Synallaxis hellmayri, honors Austrian ornithologist Carl Eduard Hellmayr, a prominent authority on Neotropical birds. - Like many spinetails, its tail feathers have stiffened, pointed shafts, which can aid in bracing against vertical surfaces whil...