Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner

The Chiriqui foliage-gleaner, known scientifically as Automolus exsertus, is a bird of considerable charm, belonging to the Furnariinae subfamily within the ovenbird family, Furnariidae. This species, with its robust build and heavy bill, measures between 18 to 20 cm in length and tips the scales at a modest 30 to 46 grams. Both male and female share a similar plumage, characterized by a dark brownish face with a striking buff eyering, and a crown and nape adorned with a subtle scallop pattern. The bird's back transitions from a rich dark brown to a dark chestnut at the uppertail coverts, while the wings and tail boast a similar chestnut hue. The throat is an ochraceous-buff, giving way to a breast streaked with brown and buff, and a belly of a more uniform brown. The flanks are darker and more rufescent, and the undertail coverts are a bright rufous. The eyes are a deep brown, the maxilla is blackish horn, and the legs and feet range from olive to greenish gray.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Chiriqui foliage-gleaner, look for its bold buff eyering and faint reddish streaks on the ear coverts. The bird's heavy bill and the distinctive ochraceous-buff throat, coupled with its streaked breast, are key features. The rich dark brown to chestnut coloration of the back and rump, along with the bright rufous undertail coverts, are also indicative of this species.

Habitat

This bird is a denizen of the tropical evergreen forests, mature secondary forests, and even coffee plantations. It thrives from sea level up to elevations of 1,400 meters, where the foliage is dense and the undergrowth provides ample foraging opportunities.

Distribution

The Chiriqui foliage-gleaner graces the Pacific slope, ranging from the southern regions of Costa Rica through to western Panama, as far as Veraguas Province.

Behaviour

A year-round resident of its range, the Chiriqui foliage-gleaner is known for its solitary or paired foraging habits. It often joins mixed-species feeding flocks, displaying an acrobatic flair as it gleans prey from epiphytes, debris, and dead leaf clumps, moving with agility along branches and vines.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of this species includes a loud, harsh rattle that can last 2-5 seconds and is repeated frequently. Additionally, it emits a nasal rack or a hard tchehrr call, adding to the auditory tapestry of its habitat.

Breeding

During the breeding season, which spans from February to May, the Chiriqui foliage-gleaner exhibits monogamous behavior. It crafts a tunnel nest in an earthen bank, culminating in a chamber lined with a shallow cup nest made of leaf rachides. Clutch sizes typically consist of two or three eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties over a period of 20 to 21 days. Fledging occurs roughly 18 days post-hatching.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Chiriqui foliage-gleaner is varied, including insects, spiders, and the occasional small lizard. It forages from the forest floor to the lower mid-storey, adeptly flipping aside leaf litter on the ground or extracting prey from the foliage above.

Conservation status

While the IUCN has not assessed the Chiriqui foliage-gleaner separately from its close relatives, it is generally considered common to fairly common within its range. It appears to be somewhat tolerant of forest fragmentation, which bodes well for its continued presence in the region.