Scaly-throated Leaftosser

The Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Sclerurus guatemalensis, is a modestly sized bird, measuring between 16.5 to 18 cm in length and weighing approximately 35 grams. Both sexes are similar in appearance, adorned with a dark brown crown and nape, featuring a distinctive scalloped pattern. The back is a rich dark brown, transitioning to a reddish-brown rump and uppertail coverts, while the tail itself is a deeper brown. The face is a mosaic of brown hues, and the chin and throat are marked with whitish feathers edged in darker tones, creating a scaly effect. The neck and upper breast are tawny brown, and the lower breast is a dull reddish-brown with fine rufous streaks. The bird's bill is long and thin, with a dark maxilla and a bicolored mandible, and its legs and feet are a blackish brown.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Scaly-throated Leaftosser, look for the scalloped appearance of the crown and nape, the scaly pattern on the throat, and the reddish-brown accents on the rump and uppertail coverts. The bird's long, thin bill and the streaked breast are also key characteristics to observe.

Habitat

This species thrives in humid lowland evergreen forests, particularly in primary forests with sparse undergrowth beneath a closed canopy. It can also be found in mature secondary forests and montane evergreen forests, and in Ecuador, it inhabits lowland cloud forests.

Distribution

The Scaly-throated Leaftosser is distributed from southern Mexico through Central America, excluding El Salvador, and extends into Colombia and Ecuador. It is a year-round resident within its range.

Behaviour

The Scaly-throated Leaftosser is known for its ground foraging behavior, where it flips leaves and probes leaf litter and decaying logs with a hopping motion. It is typically solitary or in pairs, but may occasionally join mixed-species foraging flocks.

Song & calls

The song of the Scaly-throated Leaftosser is a delightful trill, a descending series of accented whistles, or a rippling series of sharp, slightly liquid notes. Its call is a piercing or sharp, sometimes metallic sound, described as a squeak or a sharp "sweeik."

Breeding

Breeding season for this bird generally occurs from February to May in Central America. The Scaly-throated Leaftosser nests in tunnels with an enlarged chamber at the end, often in a stream bank or a fallen tree's root ball. Both sexes participate in excavating the tunnel and constructing a shallow cup of plant material for the nest chamber. The clutch typically consists of two eggs, with an incubation period of at least 21 days and fledging occurring 14 to 15 days post-hatch.

Diet and Feeding

While the diet of the Scaly-throated Leaftosser has not been extensively documented, it is known to primarily consume insects and other small invertebrates found within the leaf litter on the forest floor.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Scaly-throated Leaftosser as Least Concern, with an estimated population of 20,000 to 50,000 mature individuals. Although the population is believed to be decreasing, there are no immediate threats identified. However, in Mexico, the species is considered Threatened due to logging and habitat conversion for agriculture and livestock production.