Tit-spinetail

Tit-spinetails
Andean tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura andicola (Ecuador)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Furnariidae
Genus:	Leptasthenura L. Reichenbach, 1853
Species
9, see text

Tit-spinetails are small passerine birds of the genus Leptasthenura, belonging to the ovenbird family Furnariidae. They are found in South America, particularly the southern and Andean parts of the continent. They are somewhat similar to birds of the tit family in their shape and feeding behaviour, hence the first part of their name. The "spinetail" part of their name refers to their long, pointed tail feathers. Tit-spinetails have short rounded wings, short pointed bills and are mainly brown in colour. Their nests are built in holes or in the old nests of other birds.

Species list

• Andean tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura andicola
• Streak-backed tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura striata
• Rusty-crowned tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura pileata
• White-browed tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura xenothorax
• Striolated tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura striolata
• Plain-mantled tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura aegithaloides
• Tufted tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura platensis
• Brown-capped tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura fuliginiceps
• Araucaria tit-spinetail, Leptasthenura setaria

References

• Jaramillo, Alvaro; Burke, Peter & Beadle, David (2003) Field Guide to the Birds of Chile, Christopher Helm, London
• South American Classification Committee (2007) A classification of the bird species of South America, part 6. Retrieved 08/06/07.