The ochre-breasted foliage-gleaner is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Region
Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina
Typical Environment
Occurs in the humid Atlantic Forest biome from southeastern Brazil south into eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina (notably Misiones). It favors mature evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, but also uses well-developed secondary growth and forest edges. Most activity is in the shaded understory and lower midstory, especially in vine tangles, bamboo patches, and bromeliad-laden trees. It is generally tied to continuous or semi-continuous forest cover and avoids very open habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A furtive ovenbird of the Atlantic Forest, the ochre-breasted foliage-gleaner spends most of its time in dense understory and midstory tangles. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks, where it methodically picks through clusters of dead leaves and epiphytes for hidden arthropods. Its warm ochre underparts and rufous wings and tail help distinguish it from similar foliage-gleaners.
Temperament
skulking but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, often accompanying mixed-species flocks as it forages methodically through dead leaf clusters. Pairs maintain territories year-round and communicate with soft calls. Nesting is presumed to be in natural cavities or protected recesses where a cup of plant fibers and leaves is built.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a short, dry series of accelerating notes or a rattling trill delivered from within cover. Calls are sharp, high tchik or tik notes used to keep contact in dense foliage.
Plumage
Upperparts brown to olive-brown with rich rufous wings and tail; underparts warm ochre to buff-ochre, paler on the throat. Subtle but distinct pale supercilium contrasts with slightly darker ear coverts; feathers often show soft edges giving a slightly shaggy look on the face and throat.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods, including insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and orthopterans, as well as spiders. It specializes in gleaning prey from dead leaf clusters, curled leaves, and tangles where insects hide. It probes among epiphytes, moss, and bark crevices, occasionally sallying a short distance to snatch disturbed prey.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the understory and lower midstory of humid forest, especially in vine tangles, bamboo, and epiphyte-laden branches. Frequently forages alongside other understory insectivores in mixed flocks, moving steadily through discrete foraging strata.
