Image via Macaulay Library
Vilcabamba Spinetail
- Scientific name
- Cranioleuca weskei
- Family
- Furnariidae
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Narrow
- Tail shape
- Pointed
Where it came from
The Vilcabamba Spinetail was formally described to science in 1982 by ornithologists John P. O'Neill and Ted Parker. It is a member of the Furnariidae family and is restricted to the humid montane forests of the Vilcabamba mountain range in southern Peru, a region characterized by its challenging, rugged topography. The species was identified during intensive biological surveys that sought to document the isolated avifauna of the high-Andean cloud forests, highlighting the extreme biodiversity of the Peruvian Andes.
Physically, the bird exhibits the classic morphology of the Cranioleuca genus, featuring a narrow wing shape adapted for maneuvering through dense understory and a notably pointed tail. These structural characteristics are essential for its life cycle within the mossy, epiphyte-laden trees of its habitat. The species is considered highly specialized, and its discovery served as an important indicator of the unique evolutionary pressures present in the Vilcabamba range, providing researchers with vital data regarding the biogeography of Andean bird species.
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 Vilcabamba Spinetail
Vilcabamba 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 Vilcabamba Spinetail on collecto.rs?
Vilcabamba 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 Vilcabamba 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 Vilcabamba Spinetail catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Vilcabamba 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
