White-browed Spinetail (Hellmayrea gularis) [XC261904]
by Niels Poul Dreyer from Esmeraldas: Cayapachupa, Cordillera de Tois\u00e1n, Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, Ecuador (call, song, agitated song)
White-browed Spinetail (Hellmayrea gularis) [XC277400]
by Ross Gallardy from Zamora-Chinchipe: S Estaci\u00f3n Cient\u00edfica San Francisco, Ecuador (call, song)
Subspecies
Formerly placed in genus Synallaxis, but differs in voice and foraging behaviour. Almost certainly more closely related to Cranioleuca or Schizoeaca. Validity of subspecies cinereiventris merits investigation, as similar-looking birds have been reported near localities of nominate in Cundinamarca (Colombia).
Proposed subspecies rufipectus (central Andes of Colombia), described as more rufescent above and below, and pichinchae (Andes of Ecuador), said to differ from it in being paler below and darker above, considered indistinguishable from nominate.
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
gularis (Lafresnaye, 1843) - Andes of western Venezuela (southern Táchira), Colombia (all three ranges), Ecuador and northern Peru (Cajamarca).