Scaly-throated Leaftosser

Sclerurus guatemalensis

Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers · Passeriformes · Rare

The Scaly-throated Leaftosser (Sclerurus guatemalensis) is a rare ovenbirds and woodcreeper found in 9 countries, weighing about 35 g. The scaly-throated leaftosser is a species of bird in subfamily Sclerurinae, the leaftossers and miners, of the ovenbird family Furnariidae.

Least ConcernRareEats invertebratesforestcavity nest35 g

About the Scaly-throated Leaftosser

The scaly-throated leaftosser is a species of bird in subfamily Sclerurinae, the leaftossers and miners, of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Mexico, every Central American country except El Salvador, and in Colombia and Ecuador.

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

How to identify it

The scaly-throated leaftosser is 16.5 to 18 cm (6.5 to 7.1 in) long and weighs about 35 g (1.2 oz). The sexes are alike. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dark brown crown and nape with a scalloped appearance. Their back is dark brown, their rump and uppertail coverts reddish brown, and their tail is a darker brown than their back. Their flight feathers are dusky. Their face is shades of brown. Their chin and throat feathers are whitish with darker margins that give a scaly appearance. Voice: The scaly-throated leaftosser's song has been described as "a beautiful, clear trill", as "a descending series of accented whistles", and as "a slightly laughing, rippling series of 7-12 or more sharp, slightly liquid week or swee notes". Its call has been described as "a piercing wheek", "a sharp, sometimes metallic pick or zick", and "a sharp, explosive squeak! or sweeik".

What the Scaly-throated Leaftosser sounds like

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

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Scaly-throated Leaftosser?
The scaly-throated leaftosser is 16.5 to 18 cm (6.5 to 7.1 in) long and weighs about 35 g (1.2 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Scaly-throated Leaftosser?
The Scaly-throated Leaftosser is a small sized bird weighing about 35 g.
Where can you see a Scaly-throated Leaftosser?
The Scaly-throated Leaftosser occurs in 9 countries, including Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala and Ecuador.
What does a Scaly-throated Leaftosser sound like?
You can listen to a field recording of the Scaly-throated Leaftosser on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Scaly-throated Leaftosser?
The Scaly-throated Leaftosser is most easily confused with the Tawny-throated Leaftosser, the Grey-throated Leaftosser and the Rufous-breasted Leaftosser.
Is the Scaly-throated Leaftosser endangered?
The Scaly-throated Leaftosser is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Scaly-throated Leaftosser 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.

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