The ochre-throated foliage-gleaner is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Panama and every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Central America and the Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs from Panama through much of northern and western South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, tall secondary growth, and forest edges with dense vine tangles. Most activity is in the shaded understory and lower midstory, where it moves methodically through thickets. It is tolerant of some disturbance but requires substantial tree cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A skulking ovenbird of dense tropical forest understory, it often joins mixed-species flocks and sometimes forages at the edges of army-ant swarms. True to its name, it pries and shreds curled, dead leaves to uncover hidden arthropods. Like many furnariids, it nests in earthen tunnels excavated in banks. Its grating chatters and rattles carry surprisingly far through humid forest.
Temperament
skulking and methodical
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense understory
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, frequently accompanying mixed-species flocks of understory birds. Pairs maintain territories and communicate with harsh contact calls. Nests are placed at the end of self-excavated tunnels in earthen banks, where both parents attend young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are rough, scolding chatters and rattles, often delivered in short series. Also gives sharp chips and harsh trills when agitated or interacting with flock mates.
Plumage
Warm rufous-brown upperparts with a distinctly ochre to buff throat and paler, slightly cinnamon-washed underparts; tail rich rufous. Feathers often appear slightly worn or frayed at the edges due to its leaf-tearing foraging style.
Diet
Primarily consumes arthropods such as beetles, spiders, roaches, and caterpillars gleaned from dead and curled leaves. Probes clusters of suspended leaves, vine tangles, and epiphytes, often tearing leaf edges to expose prey. Occasionally takes small vertebrates or berries, but these are minor components.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory and lower midstory of humid forest, especially where there are many suspended leaf clusters and vine tangles. Often forages along edges, treefall gaps, and along forested streams.
