Ovenbirds (Furnariidae)

Wren-like Rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops) - HBW 8, p. 261

French: Synallaxe troglodyte German: Binsenschlüpfer Spanish: Junquero
Other common names: Rushbird, Black-faced Spinetail

Taxonomy: Sylvia melanops Vieillot, 1817, Paraguay.
Affinities uncertain. Possible relationship to Aphrastura suggested by plumage features, but nest architecture considered by some to be more like that of similarly marsh-nesting Limnoctites and Limnornis; blue-green egg colour (unusual within family) more like latter’s. Proposed race juninensis (from vicinity of L Junín, in C Peru), purportedly with brighter plumage, evidently not diagnosable. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: