Scaly-throated leaftosser

The scaly-throated leaftosser is a species of bird in subfamily Sclerurinae, the leaftossers and miners, of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Mexico, every Central American country except El Salvador, and in Colombia and Ecuador.

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Distribution

Region

Mesoamerica and northwestern South America

Typical Environment

Occurs from southern Mexico through most of Central America (absent from El Salvador) and into Colombia and Ecuador. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, favoring dense understory with deep leaf litter. Often found along ravines, stream gullies, and steep forested slopes where earthen banks provide nesting sites. It primarily uses primary forest but may persist in older, well-developed secondary forest with closed canopy. Avoids open, heavily disturbed habitats.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size15–18 cm

Wing Span22–26 cm

Male Weight0.034 kg

Female Weight0.031 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This secretive ovenbird specializes in flipping over leaf litter with its bill to expose hidden arthropods. It often runs rather than flies and is highly tied to mature, humid forest interiors. Nests are built at the end of a burrow excavated into earthen banks or steep slopes. Because it depends on intact understory and deep leaf litter, it is sensitive to forest fragmentation.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and terrestrial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground; reluctant to fly

Social Behavior

Usually solitary or in pairs, maintaining territories on the forest floor. Breeding pairs excavate a horizontal burrow in an earthen bank with a nest chamber at the end. Clutch size is small, and both adults attend the nest. Outside breeding, it remains inconspicuous and seldom joins mixed flocks.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A series of thin, high-pitched whistles that may rise or fall, delivered from low perches or the ground, especially at dawn. Calls include sharp chips and short, penetrating notes used for contact and alarm.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Dark rufescent-brown above with a paler rufous tail; throat and upper breast show fine pale scalloping that creates a scaly appearance. Underparts are browner with subtle mottling; feathers are plain-textured without bold wing markings.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Feeds primarily on arthropods such as ants, beetles, spiders, and other small invertebrates gleaned from and beneath leaf litter. It flips leaves vigorously with its bill to uncover hidden prey and also probes soft soil and moss. Occasionally takes small vertebrates if encountered, but this is rare. May opportunistically forage near army-ant activity to capture flushed prey.

Preferred Environment

Forages on the shaded forest floor of mature humid forest, especially in areas with deep litter and fallen branches. Frequently works along ravines, root tangles, and stream edges where prey concentrates. Stays near cover and rarely ventures into open areas.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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