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

Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

Lochmias nematura

The sharp-tailed streamcreeper, Lochmias nematura, is a small, inconspicuous bird, a member of the Furnariidae family. It measures between 13 to 14 cm in length and weighs between 20 to 38 grams. This bird is characterized by its long, slightly decurved bill and distinctive "spiny" tail, with feather tips bearing bare shafts. Its plumage is generally dark, with a rich reddish-brown back blending into a blackish rump and tail.

Identification Tips

Adults have a narrow, ragged white supercilium and blackish lores, with dull brownish ear coverts featuring rufescent shafts. The throat is whitish with dark brown tips, and the breast is a dull dark brown heavily spotted with white. The belly mirrors the breast but includes white streaks. The iris is dark brown, the maxilla ranges from black to brownish, and the mandible from black to grayish horn. Legs and feet can vary from dull pink to dark brown.

Habitat

The sharp-tailed streamcreeper is always found near streams and small rivers with dense undergrowth. It prefers montane evergreen forests at elevations between 700 and 2,800 meters, as well as lowland evergreen and mature secondary forests.

Distribution

This species is found in Panama and throughout most mainland South American countries, with several subspecies occupying distinct ranges. It has been observed in the mountains of Panama and Venezuela, through the Andes, and into southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, and much of Uruguay.

Behaviour

The sharp-tailed streamcreeper is a year-round resident, foraging singly or in pairs. It walks and hops on the ground, among leaf litter and moss on rocks, and in shallow streambeds to find food.

Song & calls

The song is a series of dry notes that gradually accelerate and ascend, then level off, and finally descend abruptly. Calls include "sea-sick," "seesee-sik," "tsiterit," and "tsitit," with an alarm call described as "chet-chet-chet."

Breeding

The breeding season is not fully defined but includes the wet season in Venezuela and September in southeastern Brazil. The species is believed to be monogamous, with nests constructed in earthen banks. Clutch size is typically two eggs, but further details on incubation and parental care are not well known.

Similar Species

Subspecies vary slightly in plumage and markings, with differences in the supercilium, back color, and underpart patterns. The L. n. obscuratus subspecies, for example, has little or no supercilium and a duller, less reddish back compared to the nominate.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of a wide variety of arthropods, tadpoles, and occasionally adult frogs. The sharp-tailed streamcreeper gleans, probes, and tosses aside leaves to uncover prey.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the sharp-tailed streamcreeper as Least Concern. It has a large range and a substantial population, though numbers are believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified, and it is found in several protected areas.

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

Sharp-tailed Streamcreepers on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Chris Bell
Chris Bell
12 Jun 2024 - 9:36am
Brazil

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
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
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.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.