Spotted Barbtail
A species of Typical Barbtails Scientific name : Premnoplex brunnescens Genus : Typical Barbtails
Spotted Barbtail, A species of Typical Barbtails
Botanical name: Premnoplex brunnescens
Genus: Typical Barbtails
Content
Description General Info
Description
The spotted barbtail ranges from 13 to 15 centimetres (5.1 to 5.9 in) in length, and from 14 to 19 grams in weight. The species does not exhibit sexual dimorphism; males and females are alike. Within its family the spotted barbtail is small and dark, with rich patterning on its underside. The forehead is dark greyish-brown, with spots that are tawny or ochraceous in color. The bird has a narrow supercilium, formed by a series of closely spaced spots above and behind the eye. Similar lines of spots extend down the neck from the supercilium. The crown of the head is also grey brown, with dark-edged feathers, giving the bird a scalloped appearance. The spots on the forehead fade into the crown. The back is dark brown, blackish-edged feathers, similar to but less conspicuous than on the crown. The rump has the same scalloped appearance, and has a slight chestnut hue. The uppertail coverts are chestnut-brown in color, while the wings are largely dark brown. The primary coverts are darker than the rest of the wing, while the other coverts have darker centers. The central feathers of the tail are somewhat stiffened. The tips of all the tail feathers lack barbs, giving the tail a "spiny" appearance. The bird's throat is also tawny in color, with brownish edging to the feathers. Birds within the subspecies albescens have a paler whitish throat. The belly and breast of the bird are dull brown with elongated spots that are tawny in color and outlined in dark brown. The spots are largest on the breast, becoming smaller and less visible approaching the vent, while they fade into spreaking on the flanks. The undertail coverts are also dull brown with a faint spots. The upper mandible of the bird's beak is black or dark brown, while the lower mandible varies between greyish-pink to horn-colored, and occasionally has a darker tip. The iris is black. The spotted barbtail is similar in appearance to the white-throated barbtail, but is distinguished by having spots that are tawny rather than white, smaller and less dense spots on its breast, and a shallower beak. 
Size
15 cm
Nest Placement
Tree
Feeding Habits
Spotted Barbtail primarily feeds on insects like beetles and hymenopterans, as well as spiders and cockroach eggs. It exhibits foraging behaviors, often searching for prey among leaf litter. Its diet reflects specialized hunting techniques adapted to its habitat.
Habitat
Spotted Barbtail predominantly inhabits the understory of humid, mossy montane forests, a terrain characterized by dense understory vegetation and a wet, cool climate. This species thrives in high-altitude forest zones which often exhibit a rich moss cover and frequent cloud immersion. While spotted Barbtail primarily favors these secluded and moisture-rich environments, it can also occasionally be found along the forest borders. The habitat range of spotted Barbtail spans broader neotropical regions, reflecting a preference for the complexity and biodiversity of these ecosystems.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
The spotted barbtail is found in evergreen montane forest : in the Talamancan montane forests and throughout the northern Andes. It exhibits a preference for areas with moss and epiphytes. In Central America it occurs between 1,200 to 2,300 metres (3,900 to 7,500 ft) above sea level, whereas in the Andes it is found from 900 to 2,600 metres (3,000 to 8,500 ft), extending occasionally up to 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), and down to 650 metres (2,130 ft) in the Western Andes. It is common across its distribution, and has been found in fragmented as well as intact habitat. It is not considered threatened globally. It is a sedentary species.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Ovenbirds Genus
Typical Barbtails Species
Spotted Barbtail 
Download Picture Bird
Identify any bird by photo or sound in seconds
Identify any bird by photo or sound in seconds
