Ovenbirds (Furnariidae)

McConnell's Spinetail (Synallaxis macconnelli) - HBW 8, p. 284

French: Synallaxe de McConnell German: Östlicher Dunkeldickichtschlüpfer Spanish: Pijuí de McConnell

Taxonomy: Synallaxis macconnelli Chubb, 1919, Mount Roraima, Bolívar, Venezuela.
Forms a superspecies with S. moesta and S. cabanisi, and all have often been treated as conspecific. Juvenile plumage differs from that of the other two. Race yavii, based on a single specimen from locality near range of nominate, is regarded by many as of dubious validity, e.g. possibly a subadult plumage of latter race; description, however, indicates that it is distinctive; considered better to retain it as a valid taxon, pending further study. Proposed race griseipectus, described from Mt Ptari-tepui, in Bolívar (Venezuela), is regarded as not diagnosable. Sci.. View all taxonomy...

Taxonomy: Synallaxis macconnelli Chubb, 1919, Mount Roraima, Bolívar, Venezuela.
Forms a superspecies with S. moesta and S. cabanisi, and all have often been treated as conspecific. Juvenile plumage differs from that of the other two. Race yavii, based on a single specimen from locality near range of nominate, is regarded by many as of dubious validity, e.g. possibly a subadult plumage of latter race; description, however, indicates that it is distinctive; considered better to retain it as a valid taxon, pending further study. Proposed race griseipectus, described from Mt Ptari-tepui, in Bolívar (Venezuela), is regarded as not diagnosable. Scientific name of species was based on misspelling, as species was named after F. V. McConnell, but original version stands. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • yavii Phelps, Sr. & Phelps, Jr., 1947 - Cerro Yavi, in S Venezuela (N Amazonas).
  • macconnelli Chubb, 1919 - SE Venezuela (tepui region of Bolívar, and Cerro de la Neblina in S Amazonas) and N Brazil (Cerro de la Neblina, Serra Parima).
  • obscurior Todd, 1948 - Surinam, French Guiana and extreme NE Brazil (Amapá).