Thorn-tailed Rayadito

Aphrastura spinicauda

Least ConcernUncommonInvertebratesForestCavity nestTiny · 12 g

About the Thorn-tailed Rayadito

The thorn-tailed rayadito , is a species of bird in the family Furnariidae. It is found in temperate forests and subtropical dry shrubland south of 30°S. Some sources suggest it may formerly have occurred in the Falkland Islands. It remains the most common and best-known native bird in temperate forests of Zona Austral and Zona Sur in Chile, often occurring at densities of well over one individual per hectare.

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

ID tip

The thorn-tailed rayadito is approximately 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in length including the tail, and an average adult weighs around 11 grams (0.39 oz), with males being around 10 percent heavier than females. The most distinctive feature of a bird frequently compared to a tit is the long "thorn"-tail with twelve spiny rectrices, which gradually develops in juveniles as they mature. This thorn-tail is believed to be used, not to aid in climbing trees as in other funariids like the tit-spinetails, but to attract the opposite sex during courtship.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

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

Easily confused with

Learn the Thorn-tailed Rayadito for real

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