The black-throated spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in Venezuela’s lowlands and foothills where dense scrub, secondary growth, and forest edge provide thick cover. Prefers tangles of vines, thorny thickets, and rank vegetation along streams and clearings. It can persist in disturbed habitats with sufficient understory, including overgrown hedgerows and fallows. Typically keeps to the lower strata, rarely venturing into the open.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
An understory specialist of dense thickets, the black-throated spinetail keeps its long, spiny-tipped tail cocked as it slips through tangles. Like many spinetails, it builds a bulky, domed stick nest with a side entrance. It is endemic to Venezuela and is most often detected by its fast, rattling song from deep cover.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs that maintain year-round territories. Builds a bulky, domed stick nest with a side entrance placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation. Generally avoids mixed flocks but may occasionally accompany other understory insectivores while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rapid, accelerating series of dry trills that may end in a buzzy chatter. Calls include sharp chips and rattles given from deep cover, often revealing the bird before it is seen.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with a contrastingly rufous, spiny-tipped tail; underparts buffy to grayish with a distinct black throat patch. Fine streaking or mottling may border the throat and chest. Wings short and rounded; tail long and often held cocked.
Diet
Takes small arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars gleaned from leaves, twigs, and dead foliage. Probes vine tangles and suspended leaf clusters, often hanging or contorting to reach prey. May occasionally ingest small fruits or seeds incidentally while foraging.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory, vine tangles, and thorny scrub along forest edges, riparian thickets, and overgrown clearings. Typically feeds within 0–3 m of the ground where cover is thickest.
