Bird Guide

Dark-breasted Spinetail vs Stripe-breasted Spinetail

Dark-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis albigularis)

Dark-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis albigularis

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The dark-breasted spinetail is 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 14 to 18 g (0.49 to 0.63 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a brownish gray face and forecrown. Their hindcrown and nape are dark rufous, and their back, rump and uppertail coverts olive-brown. Their wing coverts are dark rufous with paler edges and their flight feathers dark brownish. Their tail is dull brown; it is graduated and the feathers have pointed tips. Their throat is grayish white with sooty flecks; the lower throat feathers are blackish with pale gray edges. Voice: The dark-breasted spinetail's song is "a hurried 'chéép, du-du-du' or 'whít, di-di-di' " that is often repeated at length. Other vocalizations include a "short chatter" and an "accelerating whinny, 'neeh-neeh-neeh-neeh-neh-neh-neh' ".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Dark-breasted Spinetail
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Morona-Santiago: e-slope Cord. de Cutucú: Uuntsuants, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Monics Paredes · CC BY 4.0
Stripe-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis cinnamomea)

Stripe-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis cinnamomea

Small18 gWoodland

The stripe-breasted spinetail is 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 15 to 23 g (0.53 to 0.81 oz). It has one of the shortest tails of genus Synallaxis. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies S. c. cinnamomea have a faint pale supercilium on an otherwise dull rufous face. Their crown, nape, back, rump, and uppertail coverts are rich brown. Their wings are rufous-chestnut with blackish tips on their flight feathers. Their tail is rich brown; it is graduated and the ends of the feathers lack barbs giving a spiny appearance. Voice: The stripe-breasted spinetail's song is two notes, of which the second is lower but rising, " a nasal, sharp 'chík-kweek' or 'chúrt-wert' " that is often repeated for long periods. Its calls are a "soft, whining 'peeeur' or querulous 'chew' ".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Stripe-breasted Spinetail
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz @rosaelena_naturaleza · Call · San Antonio De Los Altos (near Parroquia Macarao), Los Salias, Miranda, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Feroze Omardeen · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Dark-breasted Spinetail and Stripe-breasted Spinetail.