The scaly-throated foliage-gleaner, also known as the spectacled foliage-gleaner, is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Mexico, in every Central American country except Nicaragua, and in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Mesoamerica and the northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Mexico through Central America (absent in Nicaragua) to western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Prefers humid foothill and montane evergreen and cloud forests, as well as mature second growth with dense vine tangles and epiphytes. It forages in the understory to midstory, especially in areas with abundant dead leaves, mosses, and bromeliads. Frequents forest edges and ravines but generally stays within forested habitats.
Altitude Range
600–2300 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A foliage-gleaner of the ovenbird family, it creeps methodically through vine tangles, epiphytes, and dead leaf clusters to pry out hidden insects. Its name comes from the fine, scale-like streaking on the throat and upper breast, and the pale 'spectacles' around the eye. It often joins mixed-species flocks in foothill and montane forests and is more often heard than seen.
Temperament
skulking and methodical
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or family groups, and commonly associates with mixed-species flocks. Forages deliberately along branches, vines, and leaf clusters, often probing curled dead leaves. Nest is a bulky globular structure of plant fibers and leaves placed in cavities or dense tangles; both sexes likely participate in nesting duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a fast, slightly buzzy series of sharp notes that may accelerate and then trail off. Calls include dry chips, rattles, and a thin squeaky tchek, often given while moving through foliage.
Plumage
Warm brown to rufescent upperparts with rufous wings and tail; throat and upper breast show fine buffy 'scaly' streaking. Underparts are buffy to olive-brown, often paler on the belly. Feathers can appear slightly shaggy on the throat when fluffed.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as insects, larvae, and spiders gleaned from dead leaves, epiphytes, bark crevices, and moss. It pries and probes rather than sallying or hawking. Occasionally takes small invertebrates from rotting wood and leaf litter.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in humid foothill and montane forest understory to midstory, especially where vine tangles, bromeliads, and accumulations of dead leaves are abundant. Often forages along forest edges and in mature second growth and joins mixed flocks to exploit disturbed prey.
