Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper

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.