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The plain thornbird is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The plain thornbird is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs about 20 to 31 g (0.71 to 1.1 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dull brown stripe behind the eye on an otherwise pale buff-brown face. Their crown and upperparts are dull brown. Their wings are mostly dull brown with darker brown primary coverts and some rufescence. Their tail is dull brown. Their throat is pale and the rest of their underparts are mostly dirty buff-white. Voice: The plain thornbird's song is "a bright, chippery and energetic series of loud 'chit' or 'chee' notes, often given in duet, which accelerates slightly, before gradually slowing and dropping in pitch" and is frequently repeated. Its calls include "a sharp 'chip' or 'chek, or a metallic 'tsi' ".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Plain Thornbird lives
When to see the Plain Thornbird
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Orange-eyed ThornbirdPhacellodomus erythrophthalmusThe orange-eyed thornbird is 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in) long and weighs about 21 to 27 g (0.74 to 0.95 oz).
Little ThornbirdPhacellodomus sibilatrixThe little thornbird is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long and weighs about 14 to 16 g (0.49 to 0.56 oz).
Streak-fronted ThornbirdPhacellodomus striaticepsThe streak-fronted thornbird is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs about 23 to 29 g (0.81 to 1.0 oz).
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