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.

Black-cheeked gnateater

Conopophaga melanops

Photo by Luis Florit (Luis Adrián Florit's Home Page)

Common name:

black-cheeked gnateater (en); cuspidor-de-máscara-preta (pt); conopophage à joues noire (fr); jejenero carinegro (es); rotscheitel-mückenfresser (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Conopophagidae

Range:

This South American species is endemic to the Atlantic forest habitats along the coast of Brazil, from Paraíba to Santa Catarina.

Size:

These birds are 11-12 cm long and weigh 20 g.

Habitat:

The black-cheeked gnateater is mostly found in the understory of tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, but may also be present in rivers and streams, dry forests and even in urban areas.

Diet:

These birds eat various types of insects, including grasshoppers, walking sticks and caterpillars, collected from the leaf litter of the forest ground.

Breeding:

Black-cheeked gnateaters are monogamous and territorial, breeding in October-January. They build an open nest cup made of plant debris and dry leaves, lined with pant down. The nest is placed in the understory, near the ground. There the female lays 2 salmon coloured eggs with dark spots, which are incubated by both parents for 12 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 18 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

These birds have a relativelly large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the species is described as uncommon. This population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction.