Rufous gnateater

Conopophaga lineata

Photo by Arthur Grosset (Flickr)

Common name:
rufous gnateater (en); chupa-dente (pt); conopophage roux (fr); chupadientes (es); rotkehl-mückenfresser (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Conopophagidae

Range:
This species is found in eastern Brazil, from Paraíba south to Rio Grande do Sul, and also in south-eastern Paraguay and extreme north-eastern Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 13-14 cm long and weigh 16-27 g.

Habitat:
The rufous gnateater is mostly found in dense understorey of moist tropical forests, but also use dry tropical forests and moist tropical scrublands. They are present at altitudes of 300-2.400 m.

Diet:
They forage in the forests understorey, taking various insects.

Breeding:
Rufous gnateaters nest in a cup made of sticks and moss placed on the ground or low in a small tree or scrub. The female lays 2 buff-coloured eggs which are incubated by both parents. The chicks are fed by both parents but there is no information regarding the length of the incubation and fledgling periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.