Ruddy Spinetail
Synallaxis rutilans
The Ruddy Spinetail (Synallaxis rutilans) is a rare ovenbirds and woodcreeper found in 9 countries, weighing about 17 g. The ruddy spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae.
About the Ruddy Spinetail
The ruddy spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and possibly Guyana.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The ruddy spinetail is 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 15 to 22 g (0.53 to 0.78 oz). Adult males of the nominate subspecies S. r. rutilans have mottled blackish lores on an otherwise deep ruddy chestnut face. Their forecrown is ruddy chestnut, their hindcrown, nape, and back chestnut strongly washed with olive-brown, and their rump and uppertail coverts dull dark brown. Their wing coverts are chestnut and their flight feathers fuscous with dull chestnut edges. Their tail is slaty blackish; it is graduated and the feathers are somewhat pointed. Voice: The ruddy spinetail's song is a "2-noted 'keéwoh (2nd note lower), constantly repeated". The song has also been interpreted as " 'tac, tac-owet', 'kít-naaa' or 'chíck-dawah' " and " 'keé-kawów' or 'keé-kow' ".
What the Ruddy Spinetail sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in French Guiana.
When to see it
The Ruddy Spinetail can be seen all year round, with peak activity in July. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Ruddy Spinetail?
- The ruddy spinetail is 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 15 to 22 g (0.53 to 0.78 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Ruddy Spinetail?
- The Ruddy Spinetail is a small sized bird weighing about 17 g.
- Where can you see a Ruddy Spinetail?
- The Ruddy Spinetail occurs in 9 countries, including Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia.
- What does a Ruddy Spinetail sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Ruddy Spinetail on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Ruddy Spinetail?
- The Ruddy Spinetail is most easily confused with the Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, the Dusky Spinetail and the Black-throated Spinetail.
- Is the Ruddy Spinetail endangered?
- The Ruddy Spinetail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Ruddy 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.