The rufous gnateater is a passerine bird of the gnateater family, Conopophagidae. It is found in forest understory and bushes in eastern Brazil from Rio Grande do Sul north to central Brazil. Its range also extends into eastern Paraguay and north-eastern Argentina and it has recently been recorded in Uruguay. It is often elusive and hard to see, but is commoner and less shy than other gnateaters.
Region
Atlantic Forest of eastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in the forest understory of eastern Brazil from Rio Grande do Sul north into central-eastern Brazil, and extends into eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina (Misiones and nearby areas), with recent records in Uruguay. It occupies humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, forest edges, bamboo thickets, and second-growth tangles. Most activity is within 0–2 m above ground where cover is dense. Frequently found along stream margins, shady gullies, and overgrown trails. It is patchy but can be locally common where understory is intact.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy understory specialist of the Atlantic Forest, the rufous gnateater often reveals itself by its clear, whistled song rather than by sight. It forages close to the ground, making short sallies to snatch insects and often flicking its tail as it moves. Males show a striking black facial mask with a crisp white moustachial stripe, while females are plainer rufous-brown. It tolerates secondary growth better than many forest birds, helping it persist in fragmented landscapes.
Temperament
quiet, skulking, and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, darting sallies
Social Behavior
Typically found as solitary individuals or in pairs that maintain small territories year-round. Nests are placed low in dense vegetation, often a neat cup or domed structure made of fibers and moss. Clutches are small, and both parents participate in incubation and care. It rarely joins mixed-species flocks, preferring dense cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, whistled notes that accelerate slightly, often delivered from a low perch in the understory. Calls include sharp tchik or pli notes used for contact and alarm.
