The cinereous-breasted spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru.
Region
South-central South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from lowland Peru and northern Bolivia through west-central to south-central Brazil and into Paraguay, favoring riverine scrub, seasonally flooded savannas, and edges of marshes. It is especially frequent in dense tangles, bamboo stands, and overgrown clearings near water. The species also uses young secondary growth and gallery forests along streams. It generally keeps to the lower strata, moving through vines and thorny shrubs.
Altitude Range
0–1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This understory furnariid favors dense riverside thickets, bamboo, and secondary scrub where it keeps low and often remains hidden. It builds a bulky stick nest with a side entrance, typical of spinetails. Pairs keep small territories year-round and communicate with sharp chips and accelerating trills. Its broad range in south-central South America has helped it remain relatively secure.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, keeping to dense cover and moving methodically through tangles. Pairs maintain territories year-round and often duet. The nest is a bulky stick structure with a tunnel-like entrance, placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a fast, accelerating series of thin trills or chips that may end in a buzzy rattle. Calls are sharp tchik notes used for contact between mates. Vocalizations carry through thick cover despite the bird’s secretive habits.
