Tawny-throated Leaftosser

The Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Sclerurus mexicanus, is a modestly sized bird, with a length ranging from 15 to 17 centimeters and a weight between 24 to 30 grams. Both sexes share a similar plumage, characterized by a dark reddish to chestnut brown head, upperparts, and tail, with a chestnut rump and uppertail coverts. Their wings are a darker brown compared to their back, and their throat and chest exhibit a tawny-rufous hue, while the rest of their underparts are akin to their back. This bird's bill is fairly long and slightly decurved, featuring a dark maxilla and a bicolored mandible. Their eyes are brown, and their legs and feet are a dark brownish gray. Juveniles resemble adults but are overall duller with light streaks on their throat and breast.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Tawny-throated Leaftosser, look for its distinctive tawny-rufous throat and chest, which contrast with the darker plumage of its upperparts. The bird's fairly long and slightly decurved bill is also a key feature to note. Subspecies S. m. pullus can be distinguished by its generally browner appearance with a redder rump and a paler throat.

Habitat

This species typically resides in moist subtropical and tropical lowland and submontane evergreen and semi-deciduous forests. It can be found at elevations ranging from sea level in Panama to 2,200 meters in Guatemala and Honduras.

Distribution

The Tawny-throated Leaftosser is found discontinuously from southeastern Mexico through Central America to Panama. Its range includes Veracruz and Chiapas in Mexico, extending through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and possibly Nicaragua, with subspecies S. m. pullus inhabiting areas from Costa Rica to western Panama.

Behaviour

The Tawny-throated Leaftosser is a year-round resident within its range. It forages mostly on the ground, flipping aside leaves and pecking at leaf litter and rotting logs with a distinctive hopping motion. It typically forages alone or in pairs and does not join mixed-species foraging flocks.

Song & calls

The song of this species is a descending series of high-pitched whistles, varying slightly between subspecies. It may start with sharp notes and end with stuttering short notes. The principal call is a short, sharp, explosive note, often repeated at irregular intervals or in a long series when excited.

Breeding

The breeding season in Costa Rica spans from December to April, with less known about the timing in other regions. The Tawny-throated Leaftosser nests in a ground burrow, ending in a chamber lined with a loose cup of dry twigs. The clutch typically consists of two eggs.

Diet and Feeding

This bird's diet is primarily composed of invertebrates, including spiders, beetles, ants, roaches, and their larvae. Its foraging technique involves flipping aside leaves and pecking at the ground to uncover its prey.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Tawny-throated Leaftosser as Least Concern. However, forest fragmentation and degradation have led to local declines and extirpations in some areas.