The spot-breasted thornbird is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina and Bolivia.
Region
Southern Bolivia and Northwestern Argentina (Chaco and Andean foothills)
Typical Environment
Occurs in dry thorn scrub, open woodland, and edges of Chaco and intermontane valleys. It uses hedgerows, second-growth thickets, and riparian scrub with scattered thorny trees such as Prosopis and Vachellia. Often found on slopes and foothills where scrub meets farmland or pastures. Prefers dense, thorny cover for nesting and foraging but will venture into more open patches to move between shrubs.
Altitude Range
200–2500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This thornbird builds large, bulky stick nests in shrubs or small trees, often conspicuous and reused or refurbished across seasons. It favors dry scrub and Chaco-edge habitats in southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. Pairs are vocal and may duet with sharp, rattling notes. Like other ovenbirds, it forages methodically through dense brush, flicking its long tail for balance.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family groups that maintain territories year-round. Both sexes participate in building the large stick nest placed in shrubs or small trees. Nests are bulky and enclosed with a side entrance; clutch size is small and pairs may reuse or add to old structures.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include dry rattles, chatters, and sharp scolding notes, often delivered as antiphonal duets. The song accelerates into a trilled series, carrying well through scrubby habitat.
Plumage
Rufous-brown upperparts with a long, graduated tail and buff underparts marked by dark spots across the breast. The throat is paler, and a faint pale supercilium contrasts with a warmer rufous face and crown. Feathers appear slightly shaggy on the back and tail, enhancing a scruffy look typical of thornbirds.
Diet
Feeds mainly on arthropods such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans prey from twigs, leaves, and bark, probing into thorny tangles where competition is lower. Occasionally descends to the ground to pick insects from leaf litter or among roots. Foraging is deliberate, with frequent tail flicks and short hops between perches.
Preferred Environment
Dense thorn scrub, hedgerows, and the lower strata of open woodland edges. Often works within 0.5–3 m above ground, moving through brambles and thorny bushes that offer both cover and prey.
