Red-and-white spinetail

The red-and-white spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

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Distribution

Region

Western Amazon Basin

Typical Environment

Occurs along major whitewater rivers and their islands in western Amazonia of Brazil (upper Solimões/Japurá), southeastern Colombia (Amazonas), and northeastern Peru (Loreto and adjacent drainages). It favors early successional scrub on river islands, tall cane (Gynerium), young Cecropia groves, and other seasonally flooded várzea thickets. Birds keep low to mid-levels in dense vegetation and often remain near water edges and oxbow lakes. It is a habitat specialist tied to dynamic riverine environments shaped by flooding and deposition.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 400 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size14–16 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.015 kg

Female Weight0.014 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This river-island specialist keeps to dense shrubbery and young river-edge growth, where it forages in pairs and flicks its long, stiff tail. Like many furnariids, it builds a bulky, enclosed nest with a side entrance concealed in tangles. Its contrasting rufous-and-white plumage makes it one of the more striking spinetails of the western Amazon.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

skulking and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually found in pairs or small family groups maintaining linear territories along river margins and islands. Nests are bulky, domed structures placed in dense vegetation, with a side entrance. Pairs remain in contact with frequent calls while foraging through tangles.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A fast series of sharp notes and buzzy trills delivered from low perches within thickets. Calls include harsh churring and dry chips used for pair contact.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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