Light-crowned Spinetail
Cranioleuca albiceps
The Light-crowned Spinetail (Cranioleuca albiceps) is a rare ovenbirds and woodcreeper found in 2 countries, weighing about 18 g. The light-crowned spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae.


About the Light-crowned Spinetail
The light-crowned spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The light-crowned spinetail is 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 13 to 17 g (0.46 to 0.60 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dark gray-brown supercilium with a black line above it and some blackish around the eye on an otherwise dark grayish brown face. Their forehead is ocraceous buff and their crown white to buffy or tawny. Their hindneck and sides of the neck have a dark brownish "collar". Their back is reddish chestnut that becomes duller and browner on the rump and uppertail coverts. Voice: The light-crowned spinetail's song is "a descending series of 6-10 evenly spaced notes" and its call "a long, excited trill".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Peru.
When to see it
Best months: January, March, May, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in September. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Light-crowned Spinetail?
- The light-crowned spinetail is 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 13 to 17 g (0.46 to 0.60 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Light-crowned Spinetail?
- The Light-crowned Spinetail is a small sized bird weighing about 18 g.
- Where can you see a Light-crowned Spinetail?
- The Light-crowned Spinetail occurs in 2 countries, including Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Light-crowned Spinetail?
- The Light-crowned Spinetail is most easily confused with the Russet-mantled Softtail, the Tepui Spinetail and the Scaled Spinetail.
- Is the Light-crowned Spinetail endangered?
- The Light-crowned Spinetail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Light-crowned 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.