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FOLIAGE-GLEANERS AND ALLIES (8 species). Medium-size, overall brown and rusty
ovenbirds that can be difficult to see well; often best detected (and identified) by voice. Also note feeding
habits and height in forest, head and breast patterns, extent of any pale streaking, bill size and shape.
Nest in burrows in banks.
STREAK-BREASTED TREEHUNTER Thripadectes rufobrunneus 20–22cm.
Large, dark, rather thickset ‘foliage-gleaner’ of humid mossy forest and edge,
adjacent dense second growth, especially in shady gullies and tangles. Forages
mainly at low to mid-levels in dense understory amid vine tangles, bromeliads,
dead-leaf masses, where tends to be skulking and difficult to see well; joins
mixed flocks. Note stout dark bill, dark hood contrasting with bright cinnamon
throat and neck sides. Cf. juv. Lineated Foliage-gleaner. SOUNDS: Sharp, rather
low nasal clucking chiuk, can be repeated slowly when foraging, and a sharp,
slightly nasal chihk, often in short series or run into slightly overslurred, slow
shrieky chatters. Song (?) a harsh, sneezy, 2-note phrase, 1st note clipped, 2nd burry and overslurred,
ki’rrrih or ch’rreh, often repeated steadily as fast as 2–3 phrases/sec; at times in pulses of 2–4 phrases, may
suggest Boat-billed Flycatcher; songs can be alternated with longer shrieky chatters when excited.
STATUS: Uncommon on both slopes, mainly 800–2500m, rarely to 3000m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)
SCALY-THROATED (SPECTACLED) FOLIAGE-GLEANER Anabacerthia
variegaticeps 16–17cm. Arboreal, relatively conspicuous foliage-gleaner of
humid foothill forest. Forages acrobatically, low to high in trees and bushes,
probing in mossy vine tangles, dead-leaf clusters, epiphytes. Singles or pairs
often with mixed flocks. Note bold spectacles, grayish crown, habits; cf. larger
and bulkier Middle American and Chiriqui foliage-gleaners. SOUNDS: Common
call a slightly harsh, emphatic skweer! or squeezk! Song a steady to accelerating
series of sharp, high, slightly metallic to squeaky chips, mostly 5–11 secs, at
times intensifying toward the end and including paired notes, chiih! chiih! chiih!
chii-chiih! chii-chiih!..., 3–7 notes/sec. STATUS: Scarce and local on both slopes, mainly 800–2000m.
(Mexico to w. Ecuador.)
LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER Syndactyla subalaris 18–19cm. Medium-
size, streaky foliage-gleaner of humid foothill and highland forest, especially at
treefalls and along streams. Forages in thickets, vine tangles, and other shady
areas where can be difficult to see clearly; often with mixed flocks. Note fine
buff streaking on head and breast, contrasting buff throat, relatively short bill,
voice; cf. Western Woodhaunter of lower elevations. Juv. plumage (held briefly)
suggests larger Streak-breasted Treehunter, but note foliage-gleaner’s smaller
bill, cinnamon eyebrow, paler upperparts. SOUNDS: Low, slightly hollow, abrupt
gruff tchek, at times doubled and repeated steadily. Song an accelerating, inten
sifying, rather rapid-paced, gruff nasal chatter, 2–6 secs, sometimes descending at the end; up to 15 notes/
sec. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on both slopes, mainly 1200–2400m, rarely down to 800m.
(Costa Rica to S America.)
WESTERN [STRIPED] WOODHAUNTER Automolus [subulatus] virgatus
16.5–18cm. Medium-size, streaky foliage-gleaner of humid lowland and lower
foothill forest, adjacent taller second growth, mainly at mid-levels in shady
understory. Forages in dense vine tangles, bromeliads, dead-leaf clusters, and
can be difficult to see clearly; often with mixed flocks of antwrens, greenlets,
woodcreepers. Note fine buff streaking on head, upper back, and breast,
relatively long slender bill, voice; throat and eyebrow less contrasting than
Lineated Foliage-gleaner of higher elevations. SOUNDS: Fairly loud, abrupt,
slightly burry rrieh! or brrih at times doubled and repeated steadily. Song an
unhurried staccato series of sharp, downslurred nasal chips, chiih-chiih..., 1–7 secs; longer series often
slightly rising and falling, 3–5 notes/sec. STATUS: Uncommon on both slopes, mainly 200–1000m.
(Nicaragua to w. Ecuador.)
