Greater Scythebill
Drymotoxeres pucheranii
The Greater Scythebill (Drymotoxeres pucheranii) is a legendary ovenbirds and woodcreeper found in 3 countries, weighing about 71 g. The greater scythebill is a species of suboscine passerine bird in the subfamily Dendrocolaptinae of the ovenbird family Furnariidae.
About the Greater Scythebill
The greater scythebill is a species of suboscine passerine bird in the subfamily Dendrocolaptinae of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The greater scythebill is 24 to 30 cm (9.4 to 12 in) long and weighs 63 to 78 g (2.2 to 2.8 oz). It is the largest and heaviest scythebill with a shorter, stouter, and less curved bill than the others. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have blackish brown ear coverts, a distinct whitish supercilium, and an even bolder whitish moustachial stripe. Their upperparts are dull rufous brown to chestnut with a darker crown. Their crown and nape have thin buff streaks that sometimes continue onto the upper back. Their rump, wings, and tail are dark rufous-chestnut. Voice: The greater scythebill's song is described as an "alternating series of twitters and nasal 'ik' notes" and by another author as "a rather weak and nasal, ascending 'ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-énh' ". It is very different from those of all other scythebills.
What the Greater Scythebill sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in December. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Greater Scythebill?
- The greater scythebill is 24 to 30 cm (9.4 to 12 in) long and weighs 63 to 78 g (2.2 to 2.8 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Greater Scythebill?
- The Greater Scythebill is a medium sized bird weighing about 71 g.
- Where can you see a Greater Scythebill?
- The Greater Scythebill occurs in 3 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
- What does a Greater Scythebill sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Greater Scythebill on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Greater Scythebill?
- The Greater Scythebill is most easily confused with the Bay Hornero, the Chestnut-throated Spinetail and the Tapajos Scythebill.
- Is the Greater Scythebill endangered?
- The Greater Scythebill is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Greater Scythebill for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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