Stripe-breasted Spinetail

Taxobox
name = Stripe-breasted Spinetail
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Furnariidae
genus = "Synallaxis"
species = "S. cinnamomea"
binomial = "Synallaxis cinnamomea"
binomial_authority = Lafresnaye, 1843

The Stripe-breasted Spinetail "Synallaxis cinnamomea" is a passerine bird found in the tropical New World in Trinidad, Tobago, Colombia and Venezuela. This species is a fairly common resident breeder in hill forest, and in Tobago also occurs in lowland and scrub habitats. It is a member of the South American bird family Furnariidae, a group in which many species build elaborate clay nests, giving rise to the English name for the family of "ovenbirds".

However, Stripe-breasted Spinetail constructs a spherical stick nest with a tubular entrance low in a bush, into which its two greenish white eggs are laid.

The Stripe-breasted Spinetail is typically 14 cm long, and weighs 16 g. It is a slender bird with a longish tail. The upperparts and head are dark brown, and the wings are chestnut. The throat is white streaked with black,and the rest of the underparts are dark-streaked buff.

The sexes are similar, but there are several races. "S. c. aveledoi" is paler, "S. c. striatipectus" is darker and "S. c. bolivari" is whiter with a less streaked throat. The Tobago form "S. c. terrestrisi" is large and pale, and "S. c. carri" on Trinidad is dark and lightly streaked.

Stripe-breasted Spinetail is an insectivore which is often difficult to see as it forages in undergrowth, but may be located by its calls, a querulous "chew" or a high-pitched nasal "keep gcing".

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
*cite book
last = ffrench
first = Richard
title = A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago
edition = 2nd edition
year = 1991
publisher = Comstock Publishing
isbn = 0-8014-9792-2
*cite book
last = Hilty
first = Steven L
title = Birds of Venezuela
publisher = Christopher Helm
date = 2003
location = London
isbn = 0-7136-6418-5