Aphrastura spinicauda
The Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) is a charismatic small passerine endemic to the temperate forests of southern South America. Measuring approximately 13-15 cm in length and weighing around 10-12 grams, this active bird is characterized by its rufous rump, dark streaking on its olive-brown upperparts, and a distinctive white supercilium above its eye. Its most notable field mark, and the origin of its name, is its long, stiff, spiny tail feathers, which it uses for bracing aga...
This species primarily inhabits temperate evergreen and deciduous Nothofagus (southern beech) forests, as well as mixed woodlands and forest edges, typically from sea level up to 1800 meters in elevation.
Their diet consists mainly of arthropods, including insects (larvae, beetles, ants) and spiders, which they glean and probe from bark, mosses, lichens, and foliage.
Thorn-tailed Rayaditos are diurnal and highly active foragers, often observed in pairs or small family groups. They employ an acrobatic foraging strategy, climbing up and down tree trunks, branches, and through dense foliage, frequently hanging upside down to inspect bark crevices. Their stiff ta...
The Thorn-tailed Rayadito is a resident species found throughout the temperate forests of southern Chile and southwestern Argentina. Its distribution extends from central Chile (Maule Region) southward through Patagonia, encompassing significant areas such as Chiloé Island and the remote southern...
Least Concern
- The Thorn-tailed Rayadito's scientific name, *spinicauda*, directly translates from Latin to 'spiny tail,' a perfect description of its distinctive feature. - It uses its stiff, bristle-tipped tail feathers for support while climbing tree trunks, much like a woodpecker, allowing it to access pr...