Subfamily Furnariinae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Furnariidae Scientific name Lochmias nematura Higher classification Lochmias Order Passerine | |
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Genus LochmiasSwainson, 1827 Similar White‑eyed foliage‑gleaner, Pale‑breasted spinetail, Rufous‑capped spinetail, Pale‑browed treehunter, Streaked xenops | ||
The sharp-tailed streamcreeper (Lochmias nematura) is a passerine bird of South America belonging to the family Furnariidae, the ovenbirds. It is the only member of the genus Lochmias. The species is also known as the streamside streamcreeper.
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Description
This bird is about 6 in (15 cm) long, with a short tail and a long, thin, slightly curved bill. The plumage is dark brown, densely spotted white on the underparts. There is a white stripe over the eye and the tail is blackish.
The first Guyana specimen, collected on July 24, 2004, had a smooth ovary measuring 4x3 mm, a bursa of Fabricius measuring 3x3 mm, and an unossified skull (as often seen in Furnarioidea even when adult).
The song is an accelerating trill, lasting for about five seconds.
Ecology
It inhabits dense undergrowth near streams, particularly in humid premontane and montane forest, foraging on the ground for insects and other invertebrates. It usually occurs alone or in pairs and is often shy and hard to see. The nest is ball-shaped with a side-entrance and is built on the ground.
Due to its extremely wide range, the sharp-tailed streamcreeper is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.
Subspecies
There are six subspecies which differ little:
The species has long been suspected to have at least a temporary presence in Guyana. However, this was only proven recently, with sight records in the Pakaraima Mountains since 2002 and a specimen (LSUMZ 175389) taken in 2004. These birds probably belong to one of the Venezuelan populations, but it is not yet known to which.