Coiba Spinetail

The Coiba spinetail, a small bird of the ovenbird family, measures between 15 to 16 cm in length. It boasts russet brown upperparts, including the tail, with a slightly paler rump. The face is adorned with a dull creamy buff, tinged with gray and highlighted by a pinkish buff supercilium. A white throat transitions to a breast and belly of white with a buff wash, while the flanks are a warm tawny hue.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Coiba spinetail, look for its russet brown upperparts and tail, the pale rump, and the distinctive creamy buff face with a pinkish buff supercilium. The white throat and underparts with a buff wash are also key characteristics to note.

Habitat

This species is a denizen of the tropical forest interiors and edges along roadsides on Coiba and Ranchería Islands. It avoids shrubby areas, scrublands, and human habitations, preferring the lush greenery from sea level to the high reaches near Cerro Torre's summit.

Distribution

The Coiba spinetail is an endemic bird, found exclusively on Coiba Island and the neighboring smaller Ranchería Island, off the Pacific coast of western Panama.

Behaviour

An acrobatic forager, the Coiba spinetail exhibits a remarkable ability to climb tree trunks, navigate vines and small branches, dangle upside down, and flit between perches. It is most active in foraging between 7 and 10 meters above ground, though it can venture from ground level to lofty heights of 25 meters.

Song & calls

The song of the Coiba spinetail is a complex melody starting with 2-4 short notes, followed by a series of longer notes at a consistent pitch, culminating in longer notes that decelerate and drop in pitch. Both sexes sing, with one sex's song being notably stronger and clearer. Its calls include a "chidididit" contact call and a "deet-deet-dee-dididit" which may serve other communicative purposes.

Breeding

The breeding season of the Coiba spinetail extends from December to July. Both sexes contribute to nest building, creating a globe-shaped structure from bark and palm fibers, lined with soft seed down. The nests are attached to thin branches or vine clusters and feature a side entrance. Clutch size remains undocumented.

Diet and Feeding

While the Coiba spinetail's diet has not been detailed, it is presumed to consist of arthropods, similar to other spinetail species. Its foraging behavior involves pecking at various substrates like bark, moss, and leaves, as well as probing and gleaning from them.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Coiba spinetail as Least Concern. Despite its very limited range, the population is estimated to be at least 9,000 mature individuals and is on the rise. Currently, no severe threats to the species have been identified.