Grey-headed Spinetail
Cranioleuca semicinerea
The Grey-headed Spinetail (Cranioleuca semicinerea) is a rare ovenbirds and woodcreeper found only in Brazil, weighing about 15 g. The grey-headed spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae.
About the Grey-headed Spinetail
The grey-headed spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The grey-headed spinetail is 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 14 to 16 g (0.49 to 0.56 oz). The sexes have the same plumage, which in its range is unique. Adults have a faint whitish supercilium and a gray-brown line through the eye on an otherwise pale gray face. Their forehead is pale buffy gray and their crown and nape are slightly darker gray; the crown has a short crest. Their back, tail, and wings are rufous-brown. Their tail feathers are graduated and lack barbs at the end giving a spiny appearance. Voice: The grey-headed spinetail's song is an "extr. high 'tsit-tsit-tsit-' then bouncing down as rattle". Its call is a "high 'trwit' ".
Where it lives
When to see it
The Grey-headed Spinetail can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Grey-headed Spinetail?
- The grey-headed spinetail is 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 14 to 16 g (0.49 to 0.56 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Grey-headed Spinetail?
- The Grey-headed Spinetail is a small sized bird weighing about 15 g.
- Where can you see a Grey-headed Spinetail?
- The Grey-headed Spinetail is endemic to Brazil, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Grey-headed Spinetail?
- The Grey-headed Spinetail is most easily confused with the Marcapata Spinetail, the Parker's Spinetail and the Light-crowned Spinetail.
- Is the Grey-headed Spinetail endangered?
- The Grey-headed Spinetail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Grey-headed Spinetail 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.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.