Rusty-headed Spinetail
VU

Rusty-headed Spinetail

Synallaxis fuscorufa

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusty-headed_spinetail

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Rusty-headed Spinetail faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its restricted Andean range. Mining activities and infrastructure development have fragmented its specialized cloud forest habitat, while cattle ranching continues to convert remaining forest patches into pastureland. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting the altitudinal zones where suitable humid montane forests can persist.

Threat summary

Habitat

This spinetail inhabits humid montane forests and cloud forests in the Andes, typically found in dense understory vegetation and forest edges between 1,500-2,800 meters elevation. It shows a strong preference for areas with thick bamboo stands and tangled secondary growth within or adjacent to primary forest.

Other threatened species in Furnariidae

Rufous-necked Foliage-gleanerVU

Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner

Syndactyla ruficollis

Unknown
Rufous SpinetailVU

Rufous Spinetail

Synallaxis unirufa

Unknown
Pink-legged GraveteiroVU

Pink-legged Graveteiro

Acrobatornis fonsecai

Unknown
Scaly-throated LeaftosserVU

Scaly-throated Leaftosser

Sclerurus guatemalensis

Unknown

Threatened in Australia

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Codonocarpus pyramidalis

Declining
EN

Acacia aprica

Unknown
CR

Dipturus mennii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rusty-headed Spinetail classified as Vulnerable?
Rusty-headed Spinetail is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Rusty-headed Spinetail faces severe pressure from rapid deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its restricted Andean range. Mining activities and infrastructure development have fragmented its specialized cloud forest habitat, while cattle ranching continues to convert remaining forest patches into pastureland. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting the altitudinal zones where suitable humid montane forests can persist.
Where does Rusty-headed Spinetail live?
Rusty-headed Spinetail occurs in Australia, and Colombia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rusty-headed Spinetail?
The main threats to Rusty-headed Spinetail are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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