Breeding

Little information is available. Franke and Salinas (2001) describe the nest and some observations of parental care. All the following information is summarised from that publication.

Occupied nests (nestlings) have been observed in May and family groups have been observed in July. Nests are placed 3.5 to 4.2 m above ground in the main branches of either Sebastiana obtusifolia or Myricianthes quinqueloba trees. The nests were found in areas of denser forest but there is no information regarding spatial distribution or density of nests. The nest resembles that of other Synallaxis spinetails, consisting of interwoven twigs and sticks, with spines of up to 5 cm long and having three distinct sections. The main part is a near-globular structure containing the main nesting chamber with an external diameter of 26 cm, and 4 cm thick walls. Inside, the main chamber is 20 cm in diameter and lined with old leaf veins. The second section is a lateral extension 20 cm long and 8 cm in external diameter, through which an entrance tunnel, 4 cm in diameter, leads into the main nesting chamber. A third section, another near-globular extension made from thicker twigs, is woven onto the main chamber, but appears less carefully interlaced, and is not hollow. The exact function of this third section remains unknown. It is assumed that both sexes contribute to nest construction.