Image via Macaulay Library
Greater Thornbird
- Scientific name
- Phacellodomus ruber
- Family
- Furnariidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Greater Thornbird (Phacellodomus ruber) is a species of bird in the family Furnariidae, native to the savanna and scrubland regions of South America. It was first formally described by the French naturalist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot in 1817. Like other members of its genus, it is known for its remarkable nest-building behavior, constructing large, conspicuous, and complex stick structures that serve as permanent residences for the species.
The design of this bird, characterized by its reddish-brown plumage, rounded wings, and distinctively notched tail, reflects an evolutionary adaptation to the dense thickets and thorny woodlands of its habitat. Its physical traits allow for maneuverability within scrub, while the notch in the tail is a functional morphological feature common to many ovenbirds, facilitating balance and navigation during intricate nest construction and foraging.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Greater Thornbird
Greater Thornbird is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Greater Thornbird on collecto.rs?
Greater Thornbird doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Greater Thornbird?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Greater Thornbird catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Greater Thornbird is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
