Pearled Treerunner
NamePearled Treerunner
Common NamePearled Treerunner
Scientific NameMargarornis squamiger
FamilyFurnariidae
Wingspan (cm)20
Length (cm)15.5
Weight (g)17
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are rich rufous-brown, contrasting with a dark eyestripe and a prominent white supercilium. The throat is yellowish, and the breast and belly are dark brown to blackish, heavily marked with white or yellowish 'pearls' or scales. The tail is rufous.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a high-pitched, thin, and often rapid series of notes, sometimes described as a squeaky trill or 'tseet-tseet-tseet'.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Andes mountains of South America, ranging from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Identifying FeaturesScaled underparts, Rufous-brown upperparts, White supercilium, Climbing foraging behavior, Stiff tail feathers
Description
This small, active passerine is characterized by its distinctive scaled underparts and rufous-brown plumage. It typically forages by spiraling up tree trunks and branches in montane forests, probing for insects and other small invertebrates.
