Image via Macaulay Library
Red-shouldered Spinetail
- Scientific name
- Synallaxis hellmayri
- Family
- Furnariidae
Where it came from
The Red-shouldered Spinetail, scientifically classified as Synallaxis hellmayri, is a member of the Furnariidae family, a group of passerine birds endemic to the Neotropics. First described by ornithologist Carl Edward Hellmayr, whose work remains foundational to the study of South American avian taxonomy, this species was identified within the dense, humid montane forests of northeastern Brazil. It is characterized by its distinct rufous wing patches, which provide the namesake coloration and serve as a primary diagnostic feature for identification in the field.
The species occupies a specialized ecological niche, favoring thick undergrowth and tangled vegetation where its behavior is characteristically elusive. Its design—an evolutionary response to the demands of forest-floor foraging—features a slender, pointed bill and a long, graduated tail, traits common to the Spinetail lineage. The bird is currently classified as near-threatened, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation within its restricted range in the Atlantic Forest, highlighting its status as an important subject for conservation biology.
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 Red-shouldered Spinetail
Red-shouldered Spinetail 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 Red-shouldered Spinetail on collecto.rs?
Red-shouldered Spinetail 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 Red-shouldered Spinetail?
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 Red-shouldered Spinetail catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Red-shouldered Spinetail 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
