Plain-crowned Spinetail (Synallaxis gujanensis) [XC764120]
by Ramiro Yabar from Quebrada Upaquihua, San Martin dept., Peru (call, song)
Plain-crowned Spinetail (Synallaxis gujanensis) [XC188883]
by Edson Guilherme from San Lorenzo, Loreto, Peru (call)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Maranon Spinetail (Synallaxis maranonica) and White-lored Spinetail (Synallaxis albilora), and all three are often treated as conspecific. Southern subspecies, geographical variation in which is step-clinal, are vocally closer to latter species and become more like it in plumage as their ranges approach each other. Thorough analysis of species limits required. Further, boundaries of various subspecies uncertain; inornata intergrades with certhiola in Beni Valley (Bolivia), and birds from lower R Purús east to lower R Madeira (Brazil) are evidently intermediate between former and nominate. Rigorous analysis may reveal widespread clinal variation that would render division into subspecies impossible.
The following 6 subspecies are recognised:
columbiana Chapman, 1914 - Eastern Colombia (western Meta south to Putumayo).
gujanensis (Gmelin, 1789) - Eastern and southern Venezuela (eastern Monagas south to Bolívar and northern Amazonas), the Guianas and northern and eastern Brazil (Amazonas and northern Roraima east to Amapá and, south of R Amazon, from Pará and northern Mato Grosso east to Maranhío and northern Goiás).
huallagae Cory, 1919 - Eastern Ecuador (Sucumbíos, Napo), south-eastern Colombia (Amazonas), eastern Peru (Amazonas south to eastern Cuzco and Madre de Díos) and northern Bolivia (Pando).
canipileus Chapman, 1923 - South-eastern Peru (western Cuzco, Puno).
inornata Pelzeln, 1856 - West-central Brazil (Amazonas south of R Amazon) south to north-eastern Bolivia (eastern Beni).
certhiola Todd, 1916 - Eastern Bolivia (southern Beni south to Santa Cruz).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet