The double-banded greytail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.
Region
Chocó–Darién of eastern Panama, western Colombia, and northwestern Ecuador
Typical Environment
Occupies humid lowland and foothill rainforests, favoring dense, shaded understory with abundant vines, bamboo, and dead-leaf clusters. It uses both primary and well-developed secondary forest and sometimes shady forest edges. Birds typically remain low to mid-levels in the understory, moving deliberately through tangles. Frequently associates with mixed-species flocks, which it follows along narrow forest trails and natural openings.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The double-banded greytail is a small, understory furnariid that often joins mixed-species flocks in humid forests of the Chocó–Darién region. Its name refers to two pale wingbars that are conspicuous at close range. It forages methodically through vine tangles and dead leaf clusters, gleaning tiny arthropods. The species is generally quiet and easily overlooked despite being locally fairly common where suitable forest persists.
Temperament
secretive and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually occurs in pairs or family groups and regularly joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Territorial calls are given softly from low perches within dense growth. Nesting is poorly known but, like many ovenbirds, nests are placed in concealed sites with both sexes participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, high-pitched series of sibilant notes or short trills, often delivered from within cover. Calls include sharp tsee or tsss notes that can be hard to locate in the understory.
Plumage
Subtle, earthy tones with olive-brown upperparts and grayish tail; underparts grayish to buff-gray with slightly paler throat. Wings show two pale, buffy bars contrasting with darker coverts. Feathers are compact and sleek, suited to maneuvering through dense foliage.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods, including insects, spiders, and larvae, gleaned from leaves, twigs, and dead-leaf clusters. Methodically probes vine tangles and suspended debris, occasionally hover-gleaning to pick prey. Often forages alongside antwrens, foliage-gleaners, and other understory flock members.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory of humid forest, especially areas with thick vines, bamboo patches, and dead-leaf clusters. Foraging occurs mostly from near ground level up to mid-understory along forest trails and edges of thickets.
