Ovenbirds (Furnariidae)

Vilcabamba Thistletail (Schizoeaca vilcabambae) - HBW 8, p. 272

French: Synallaxe de Vilcabamba German: Rostkehl-Distelschwanz Spanish: Piscuiz de Vilcabamba
Other common names: Ayacucho Thistletail (ayacuchensis)

Taxonomy: Schizoeaca vilcabambae Vaurie et al., 1972, Cordillera Vilcabamba, 3190 m, Cuzco, Peru.
Forms a superspecies with other members of genus, as a series of non-overlapping mountain-top replacements, and all sometimes considered conspecific; their vocalizations seem fairly close, but plumage patterns differ to an extent not found within species-level taxa in the Furnariidae. Distinctive race ayacuchensis may merit full species rank; difference in plumage between it and nominate as great as that between S. helleri and S. harterti. Two subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: