Bird Guide

Rufous-fronted Thornbird

Phacellodomus rufifrons

Least ConcernInvertebratesShrublandDomed nestSmall · 25 g

About the Rufous-fronted Thornbird

The rufous-fronted thornbird, or common thornbird, is a species of bird in the family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The rufous-fronted thornbird is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs about 18 to 31 g (0.63 to 1.1 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies P. r. rufifrons have a dull buff supercilium that continues past the eye, a dark brown stripe behind the eye, and dark grayish lores on an otherwise pale buff-brown face. Their forehead ("front") is dark rufous and their crown dark brownish with some paler streaks. Their upperparts are a slightly lighter dark brown. Their wings are mostly dull brown with darker brown primary coverts. Their tail is dull brown. Voice: The rufous-fronted thornbird's song is a "rather unstructured series of very high, mewing 'stjew' notes, rising, falling, and repeating". Its calls include an "extr. high, sharp 'sipsipsip-sip-' " and "a sharp 'chip' or 'chek, or a metallic 'tsi'.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Rufous-fronted Thornbird sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Rufous-fronted Thornbird lives

Regular range

When to see the Rufous-fronted Thornbird

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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