The rufous-rumped foliage-gleaner is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname.
Region
Amazon Basin and the Guianas
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in lowland evergreen rainforest across northern South America, including the Guianas and much of the Amazon Basin. It favors terra firme forest but also uses seasonally flooded várzea, river edges, and older second growth with a dense understory. Typically keeps to the understory and lower midstory, working through vine tangles, palm fronds, and dead-leaf clusters. It is most frequently detected inside mature forest but will forage along shady forest trails and edges.
Altitude Range
0–1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This foliage-gleaner is an active understory forager that often joins mixed-species flocks moving through Amazonian forests. Its warm rufous rump and tail are distinctive and help separate it from similar brownish ovenbirds. It specializes in probing and prying at dead leaves and tangles for concealed arthropods. Breeding ecology is poorly documented across much of its range.
Temperament
alert, active, and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense understory
Social Behavior
Usually forages singly or in pairs and commonly associates with mixed-species flocks of insectivores. Pairs maintain small territories within extensive forest. Breeding behavior is not well known, but like many ovenbirds it is presumed to have biparental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a short, accelerating series of thin, high-pitched notes that may culminate in a buzzy trill. Calls are dry, sharp ticks or chips given while foraging in cover.
