White-whiskered Spinetail Synallaxis candei Scientific name definitions

The White-whiskered Spinetail is a fairly common and conspicuous spinetail that is often heard vocalizing from dense vegetation patches. Both sexes have a similar coloration pattern characterized by bright cinnamon-rufous plumage (upperparts, wings, breast, and tail) with prominent white and black facial marks. It is restricted to the Caribbean dry belt of northern Venezuela and Colombia, where it inhabits deciduous forests, arid scrubs, wastelands, weed grown pastures with shrubs, and the outer borders of mangroves and salt flats.

A strict insectivore, it forages on the ground or in lower vegetation strata (< 2 m). It is usually observed in pairs, and both sexes defend territories year round. Presumably monogamous, this species builds bulky, closed nests of thorny twigs and sticks. These nests are easy to observe.

From a conservation perspective, the White-whiskered Spinetail has been categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN, although its global population size has not been estimated. The dry forests and arid scrubs that the species inhabits are currently being degraded and destroyed in both Venezuela and Colombia as a consequence of agricultural and farming practices, wood collection, and sand mining. The White-whiskered Spinetail occurs within several protected areas in Colombia and Venezuela, but specific conservation measures and habitat management are not implemented across its range.