The red-shouldered spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Northeastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs in the semi-arid Caatinga, favoring dense thorn scrub, cacti thickets, and dry deciduous scrub with tangled understory. It frequents edges of dry woodlands, overgrown pastures, and brushy river margins. The species keeps close to cover, typically within a few meters of the ground. It is broadly scattered across suitable habitat patches rather than continuous throughout its range.
Altitude Range
0–1000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A monotypic furnariid, the red-shouldered spinetail is found only in Brazil’s Caatinga region. It forages low in dense thorn scrub, often moving as a furtive pair and giving rapid chattering calls. Like many spinetails, it builds a bulky, domed stick nest with a side entrance. Its distinctive rufous shoulder patch and long, spiny tail make it stand out in otherwise drab scrub.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, maintaining year-round territories in dense brush. Pairs cooperate in building bulky stick nests placed low in thorny shrubs. Both sexes likely share incubation and nestling care. It rarely joins mixed-species flocks, preferring heavy cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A fast, dry chattering series and trills delivered from within cover, often as antiphonal duets between pair members. Calls include sharp chips and rattling notes that carry through scrub. Vocalizations are frequent during the breeding season.
Plumage
Brown upperparts with a contrasting rufous patch at the shoulder and a long, graduated, spiny-tipped rufous tail. Head grayish to brownish with a paler throat and buffy underparts. Wings show warm rufous tones in the coverts and tertials, especially noticeable in flight. Overall appearance is of a small, slender ovenbird adapted to thorny scrub.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as insects and spiders gleaned from leaves, stems, and bark. It probes tangles and thorny shrubs, picking prey from concealed surfaces. Occasionally takes small seeds or berries opportunistically but remains largely insectivorous.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense thorn scrub, cacti, and dry brush close to the ground. Often uses ecotones like scrubby edges and overgrown clearings where prey is abundant.
