Behavior

The Russet-bellied Spinetail forages in pairs or family groups in a very confiding manner, but occasionally pairs forage some distance apart whilst maintaining vocal contact. Its ‘posture’ when foraging resembles that of Necklaced Spinetail (Synallaxis stictothorax) - occasionally raising its tail as it forages in dense vegetation from ground-level to 2 m. The species does not appear to show any preference for foraging on a particular substrate either in the interior of shrubs or outer branches. Arthropods are taken with gleaning motions from foliage, moss clusters and branches. They occasionally forage along walls to probe moss clusters. The species has also been observed foraging along the ground by hopping, scratching and investigating leaf litter and other plant debris (Franke and Salinas 2001).

Described as ‘territorial’ by Fjeldså and Krabbe (1990), individuals have been seen to undertake short rapid flights to chase one another from shrubs, followed by a brief flight to a perch (Franke and Salinas 2001). Quantitative data regarding territory size or spatial distribution of such territories are sorely lacking.

Presumably is monogamous. Observations from one nest were confined to the female only since it was assumed that the attending male had been collected prior to the nest’s discovery (Franke and Salinas 2001).

Few observations have been made, and no quantitative data exist. It is usually encountered as single individuals, pairs or family groups.

No information.