Streak-breasted Treehunter

The Streak-breasted Treehunter, a member of the ovenbird family Furnariidae, is a passerine bird with a thrush-like silhouette. This large, dark furnariid measures between 20 to 22 cm in length and tips the scales at 48 to 54 grams. Both male and female adults share a similar plumage, characterized by a dark brown face with a hint of rufescence on the ear coverts and a dark ochraceous malar area speckled with dark flecks. The crown is blackish adorned with long olive streaks, and the bird sports an indistinct olive collar that transitions to rufous on the neck's sides. The back and rump are a rich dark brown, which deepens to dark reddish brown on the uppertail coverts. The wings are a similar rich dark brown with slightly darker primary coverts, while the tail is a luscious chestnut-brown. The throat is a dull ochraceous with a darker lower border, and the breast and belly are brown with narrow ochraceous streaks that fade into the lower belly. The flanks are a rich dark brown, and the undertail coverts are dark reddish brown with subtle chestnut streaks. The iris is dark brown, the bill is black with a possible grayish base to the mandible, and the legs and feet range from dark brownish gray to greenish gray. Juveniles can be distinguished by their paler and less distinct streaking on the upper breast.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Streak-breasted Treehunter, look for its large size and dark, thrush-like appearance. Note the dark brown face with rufous ear coverts, the blackish crown with olive streaks, and the rich chestnut-brown tail. The bird's streaked underparts and the dark reddish brown undertail coverts with chestnut streaks are also key identification features.

Habitat

This species thrives in the Talamancan montane forests, extending through much of Costa Rica and into Panama as far as Veraguas Province. It has an affinity for ravines with streams and a high density of epiphytes, and can also be found in mature secondary forests.

Distribution

The Streak-breasted Treehunter ranges from 700 to 3,000 meters in elevation, but is most commonly spotted in Costa Rica between 1,200 and 2,500 meters.

Behaviour

A year-round resident, the Streak-breasted Treehunter is typically a solitary forager, though it may occasionally be seen in pairs. It rarely joins mixed-species feeding flocks and is known for its methodical foraging technique, gleaning prey from dead leaves, moss, debris, and epiphytes while hopping and clambering among branches. It also exhibits the unique behavior of ripping apart clusters of dead leaves to access its prey and can sometimes be observed feeding while hanging upside down.

Song & calls

The Streak-breasted Treehunter's vocal repertoire includes a scratchy "che-brah, che-brah, che-brah…" with a scolding quality, as well as a series of rolling, burry "chi-wówr" notes. Its calls are varied, consisting of a harsh, grating "zeck," "tseck," or "cheyt, cheyt," and a doubled "rek-rek."

Breeding

Breeding season for this species spans from February to August. The bird excavates a tunnel in an earthen bank, creating a chamber at the end which is lined with leaf stems and rootlets. Clutches typically consist of two eggs, with males known to incubate and both parents participating in provisioning the nestlings. The incubation period and time to fledging, however, remain unknown.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Streak-breasted Treehunter is composed mainly of arthropods, including insects and spiders, as well as small vertebrates like frogs and salamanders. It forages in dense undergrowth, often alone or in pairs, and employs a methodical approach to feeding, gleaning prey from various substrates and occasionally hanging upside down to reach its food.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Streak-breasted Treehunter as Least Concern. With an estimated population of 20,000 to 50,000 mature individuals that appears to be stable, and no immediate threats identified, the species is considered uncommon to locally fairly common and shows some tolerance to forest fragmentation.