Greater Thornbird
Phacellodomus ruber
The Greater Thornbird (Phacellodomus ruber) is a uncommon ovenbirds and woodcreeper found in 5 countries, weighing about 41 g. The greater thornbird is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae.
About the Greater Thornbird
The greater thornbird is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The greater thornbird is 19 to 21 cm (7.5 to 8.3 in) long and weighs about 35 to 51 g (1.2 to 1.8 oz). It is heaviest and reddest thornbird. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a mostly rufescent brown to grayish brown face with a paler supercilium and ear coverts and a whitish malar area. Their crown is reddish chestnut with pale streaks, their back rich reddish brown to olive-brown that sometimes becomes chestnut on the lower back, their rump a lighter rufescent brown, and their uppertail coverts chestnut. Voice: The greater thornbird's song is a "series of up to 20 loud, sharp, resounding notes, starting very high and explosive, thereafter slightly accelerating and gradually descending". Rendered in words it is "poo tew tew tew too too tootootoochoochew". Pairs often sing in duet. Its calls include a "loud, high 'djeub-djeb-djebdjed' " and "sharp 'check check' and 'chweet'.
What the Greater Thornbird sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Greater Thornbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Greater Thornbird?
- The greater thornbird is 19 to 21 cm (7.5 to 8.3 in) long and weighs about 35 to 51 g (1.2 to 1.8 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Greater Thornbird?
- The Greater Thornbird is a small sized bird weighing about 41 g.
- Where can you see a Greater Thornbird?
- The Greater Thornbird occurs in 5 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay.
- What does a Greater Thornbird sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Greater Thornbird on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Greater Thornbird?
- The Greater Thornbird is most easily confused with the Freckle-breasted Thornbird, the Rufous-fronted Thornbird and the Plain Thornbird.
- Is the Greater Thornbird endangered?
- The Greater Thornbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Greater Thornbird 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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