Cabanis's spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.
Region
Western and southwestern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland Amazonia of Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, especially along major rivers. It favors early successional riverine scrub, young secondary growth, and cane or bamboo thickets on river margins and islands. Frequently associated with seasonally flooded várzea edges, willow-like Tessaria stands, Gynerium cane, and Cecropia saplings. It keeps close to dense cover and rarely ventures into open forest interior.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Cabanis's spinetail is a small ovenbird that favors dense river-edge thickets and young secondary vegetation, often near Amazonian rivers. It is typically seen as an active, tail-flicking skulker moving through cane, bamboo, and scrub. Like many spinetails, it builds a bulky, enclosed stick nest with a side entrance. Its fast, chattering trill helps detect it in otherwise impenetrable vegetation.
Temperament
secretive but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low quick dashes between cover
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups, maintaining territories in dense riverside thickets. It forages low to mid-levels, flicking and cocking its long tail while gleaning. The nest is a bulky, enclosed stick structure with a lateral entrance, placed in dense shrubs or cane.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A fast, chattering trill or rattle that accelerates slightly, often delivered from within cover. Calls include sharp chips and scolds used to maintain contact between pairs.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with a contrasting rufous, graduated tail; wings tinged rufous; underparts grayish to buff with subtle shading. Face shows a pale eyebrow and slightly darker ear coverts; overall plain-looking but with the prominent long tail typical of spinetails.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as insects and spiders, gleaned from leaves, stems, and tangled vines. It probes into leaf clusters and dead foliage, often working methodically through cane and shrubs. Occasionally takes small prey from the ground or makes short sallies to snatch insects.
Preferred Environment
Dense river-edge scrub, Gynerium cane, bamboo thickets, and young secondary growth along Amazonian waterways. Often forages within 1–4 meters above ground in dense tangles and along shady margins.
