- Phacellodomus ferrugineigula
Identification
16–18 cm
Deep rufous crown and rufous outer tail feathers; the central tail feathers are brownish-olive. The entire throat and breast (but not belly) is orange (with rufous tinge). The chestnut to dark red iris is difficult to see in most natural viewing conditions.
Similar species
The Orange-eyed Thornbird has the whole tail rufous, an orange throat patch that includes only the upper breast, and an orange iris.
Distribution
South America: found in coastal south-eastern Brazil (São Paulo to southern Rio Grande do Sul)
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
The Red-eyed Thornbird was split into two separate species in 2009; Orange-eyed Thornbird and Orange-breasted Thornbird.[1][2][3]
Habitat
Generally around marshland; also dense shrubs in woodland.
Behaviour
These birds are "skulkers" staying buried in dense vegetation.
Diet
There is little information available; it is thought they glean arthropods from foliage.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2010. IOC World Bird Names (version 2.7). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- Birdforum discussion thread detailing the taxonomy of this species.
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved December 2014)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Orange-breasted Thornbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 15 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Orange-breasted_Thornbird
