Bahia Spinetail

About the Bahia Spinetail

The Bahia spinetail (Synallaxis cinerea) is a Near Threatened species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Brazil. The Bahia spinetail was long treated as a conspecific population of the rufous-capped spinetail (S. ruficapilla) and data both support and refute that treatment. As of late 2023 major taxonomic systems treat the Bahia spinetail as a full species with no subspecies. Its specific epithet has bounced between whitneyi and the current cinerea.

The Bahia spinetail is 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) long and weighs 16 to 21 g (0.56 to 0.74 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a wide cinnamon-buff supercilium and brownish gray lores and ear coverts. Their crown and nape are bright orange-rufous and their back, rump, and uppertail coverts are rufescent brown. Their wings are mostly chestnut-brown. Their tail is chestnut; it is graduated and the feathers have pointed tips. Their chin has a tiny tawny spot; the rest of their chin and throat are whitish with faint gray streaks. The rest of their underparts are dark grayish. Their iris is reddish brown to dark brown, their... Wikipedia →