The guttulate foliage-gleaner 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 humid montane forests, especially cloud forests and mature evergreen slopes with dense understory. Favors areas with abundant epiphytes, moss, and vine tangles, and often utilizes bamboo thickets when present. Common along forested ravines and edges but prefers interior, structurally complex habitats. Typically keeps to lower and mid-levels of the forest where it forages carefully among foliage and debris.
Altitude Range
600–2000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This Venezuelan endemic is a shy foliage-gleaner of humid montane forests, often joining mixed-species flocks to forage methodically in the understory. Its name refers to the teardrop-like white spots on its throat and breast. It specializes in picking insects from leaves, moss, and bromeliads, and is sensitive to forest degradation and fragmentation.
Temperament
skulking and methodical
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through understory
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, frequently joining mixed-species understory flocks. Forages by gleaning and probing among leaves, moss, and bromeliads, often hitching along branches and vines. Breeding behavior is poorly known but, like many ovenbirds, the pair likely cooperates in nest building and care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a short series of sharp, accelerating notes that can rise slightly in pitch before trailing off. Calls include dry chips and scolding trills given when agitated or while moving with flocks.
Plumage
Warm brown to rufescent upperparts with richer rufous wings and tail; underparts brownish with distinct teardrop-shaped whitish spots on the throat and upper breast. Feathers often appear slightly shaggy on the throat. Subtle buffy supercilium and darker lores give a mild masked look.
Diet
Primarily consumes arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and other small insects. Methodically gleans prey from leaf surfaces, dead leaf clusters, moss mats, and epiphytes. Will probe bark crevices and suspended debris piles and occasionally takes small invertebrates flushed by flock mates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded, humid understory to mid-story of mature forest, especially where vine tangles, bamboo, and bromeliads are abundant. Often forages along forested gullies, steep slopes, and dense edges, avoiding open habitats.
