The light-crowned spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
Region
Central Andes
Typical Environment
Found on the east Andean slopes of Peru and western Bolivia, mainly in humid montane and cloud forests. It favors forest edges, secondary growth, thickets, and bamboo (Chusquea) stands. Birds forage from understory to mid-story, moving through dense tangles and vine-laden edges. It tolerates moderate habitat disturbance as long as dense cover remains. Local densities can be higher along riparian corridors and landslide regrowth.
Altitude Range
900–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The light-crowned spinetail is an Andean furnariid that keeps low in dense foliage, especially along forest edges and bamboo thickets. Its pale crown contrasts with warm brown and rufous tones, helping with quick identification. It typically forages in pairs or small family groups and often associates with mixed-species flocks. Although unobtrusive, its dry trills and chatters can reveal its presence.
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups moving through dense understory. Frequently joins mixed-species flocks in montane forest, where it forages methodically through tangles and bamboo. Nests are placed in dense vegetation or tangles, with both members of a pair participating in nest building and care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of dry, accelerating trills and chatter-like sequences, often delivered from cover. Calls are sharp chips and rattles that help keep contact while moving through dense vegetation.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with rufous wings and tail, contrasting with a pale buff to whitish crown and nape. Underparts are buffy-gray with slightly paler throat. Tail is graduated with stiff, spiny-tipped rectrices typical of spinetails. Subtle facial pattern includes a faint pale supercilium and darker auricular area.
Diet
Primarily gleans small arthropods such as insects and spiders from leaves, twigs, and bamboo culms. It methodically probes leaf clusters, vine tangles, and dead leaf packets. Occasional ingestion of small berries or seeds may occur, especially in secondary growth, but animal prey dominates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory and mid-story, especially along forest edges, bamboo stands, and regenerating scrub. Often exploits microhabitats like vine tangles, fallen branches, and riparian thickets where insects concentrate.
