Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Scaly-throated Leaftosser

Sclerurus guatemalensis

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.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Scaly-throated Leaftossers on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
🐓
James M
05 Mar 2024 - 1:03pm
Costa Rica

More Ovenbirds

A photo of a Austral Canastero (Asthenes anthoides)

Austral Canastero

Asthenes anthoides
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.