The lineated foliage-gleaner is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Andes and southern Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama south through the Andes of Colombia and Venezuela to Ecuador and northern Peru. Prefers humid montane and cloud forests with abundant epiphytes and moss-laden branches. Uses forest edges, riparian corridors, and secondary growth when structure remains dense. Often associated with bamboo thickets and vine tangles where dead-leaf clusters accumulate.
Altitude Range
800–2600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This foliage-gleaner specializes in prying and tearing at dead leaves, moss, and epiphytes to extract hidden arthropods, a foraging style common in the ovenbird family. It is a frequent member of mixed-species flocks in montane forests, moving methodically through the midstory. Its presence often indicates relatively intact cloud forest habitat. The song is a harsh, accelerating series of notes that carries well through dense vegetation.
Temperament
active and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually in pairs or small family groups and commonly joins mixed-species flocks moving through the midstory. Territories are defended vocally, with duet-like exchanges between mates. Nests are typically bulky masses placed in cavities, root tangles, or banks, built from fibers, leaves, and moss.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a rough, accelerating series of sharp notes that may end in a buzzy trill. Calls are dry churrs and scolds that cut through dense foliage, aiding contact within mixed flocks.
Plumage
Warm brown to olive-brown upperparts with bold, fine buff streaking (lines) on the head, neck, and breast; wings and tail rich rufous. Underparts otherwise buffy to cinnamon with lighter streaking across the chest. Feathers often appear slightly worn at the tips due to its prying foraging behavior.
Diet
Feeds primarily on arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, cockroaches, and spiders. Probes dead-leaf clusters, pries bark flakes, and searches epiphytes to extract concealed prey. Occasionally snaps small prey flushed by flock mates. Foraging is methodical, with frequent tail and wing flicks.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages in the midstory and subcanopy of humid montane forest where epiphytes and dead leaves are abundant. Also works along forest edges, bamboo stands, and shaded ravines.
