Pearled Treerunner

Southern Perlstachelschwanz

The Southern Perlstachelschwanz ( Margarornis squamiger ) or sometimes only pearls barbed tail, is a species of bird in the family of Ovenbirds ( Furnariidae ). The species occurs in the South American countries Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. The stock is by the IUCN as " not at risk " ( Least concern ) classified.

Features

The Southern Perlstachelschwanz reaches a body length of about 15.7 centimeters. The reddish-brown to chestnut -colored top shimmers strong. The crown is slightly brown. About the eye runs a conspicuous white stripe brewing. The throat is also white. The sides of the neck and the rest of the underside are olive brown and covered with creamy white, teardrop-shaped speckles that are black margins. The tail is relatively long and stiff and has small protruding spikes on.

Distribution and habitat

The bird is fairly common in humid temperate regions with moderate temperatures, where it inhabits forest edges and dense hedgerows in the high plains and Polylepis forests above the tree line. He prefers mossy, overgrown by epiphytes trees. Its habitats are found at altitudes 1800-3500 meters.

Behavior

The bird climbs like on thin branches at various climbing plants, where he also moves backwards. He jumps between smaller branches and twigs back and forth, which is similar to the behavior of a sheet Scout. He usually moves in the middle Stratifikationsschichten to the canopy. Despite his busy activity he is a relatively inconspicuous contemporary. You can put it alone, in pairs and observe in groups with some other dogs and other birds. His nest he builds a mossy ball with side entrances. The eggs are white.

Subspecies

There are three subspecies have been described which differ mainly in their coloring:

• Margarornis squamiger squamiger ( Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1838)
• Margarornis squamiger perlatus ( Lesson, 1844)
• Margarornis squamiger peruvianus ( Cory, 1913)