Rufous-backed Stipplethroat
Epinecrophylla haematonota
The Rufous-backed Stipplethroat (Epinecrophylla haematonota) is a rare antbirds, antshrikes, antwrens, and antvireo found in 7 countries, weighing about 9 g. The rufous-backed stipplethroat is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds".
About the Rufous-backed Stipplethroat
The rufous-backed stipplethroat is a species of bird in subfamily Thamnophilinae of family Thamnophilidae, the "typical antbirds". It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. In its complex taxonomic history, Epinecrophylla haematonota has also been called the rufous-backed antwren, stipple-throated antwren, Napo stipple-throated antwren, and western stipple-throated antwren.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufous-backed stipplethroat is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long and weighs 8 to 10.5 g (0.28 to 0.37 oz). Adult males of the nominate subspecies E. h. haematonota have a mostly light gray face and a black throat with white spots. They have a grayish olive-brown crown and mantle, and deep rufous back, tail, and flight feathers. Their wing coverts are blackish brown with pale buff or white tips. Their breast and upper belly are light gray and their lower belly, flanks, and undertail coverts yellow-brown. Adult females have a mostly light yellowish olive-brown face and underparts. Voice: The rufous-backed stipplethroat's song is an "extr. high, very thin, descending, rapid shiver 'tsititi---' " that lasts two or three seconds. Its calls include a "doublet of abrupt notes, second higher-pitched", an "abrupt single note", and a "high-pitched rattle".
What the Rufous-backed Stipplethroat sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in French Guiana.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, 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 Rufous-backed Stipplethroat?
- The rufous-backed stipplethroat is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long and weighs 8 to 10.5 g (0.28 to 0.37 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-backed Stipplethroat?
- The Rufous-backed Stipplethroat is a tiny sized bird weighing about 9 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-backed Stipplethroat?
- The Rufous-backed Stipplethroat occurs in 7 countries, including Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.
- What does a Rufous-backed Stipplethroat sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Rufous-backed Stipplethroat on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-backed Stipplethroat?
- The Rufous-backed Stipplethroat is most easily confused with the Brown-bellied Stipplethroat, the Foothill Stipplethroat and the White-eyed Stipplethroat.
- Is the Rufous-backed Stipplethroat endangered?
- The Rufous-backed Stipplethroat is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rufous-backed Stipplethroat 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.