Habitat
Dense undergrowth, occasionally the midstorey, of deciduous and evergreen forest. Also, heavily degraded secondary forest and hedgerows within cultivation. From sea-level - 1,100 m.
South-western Ecuador (southern from south-western Manabí and central Loja) and extreme north-western Peru (Tumbes, northern Piura).
 
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction owing to agricultural clearance, persistent grazing by goats and cattle removing understorey, preventing forest regeneration, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
Forages alone or in pairs, and sometimes joining mixed-species flocks.
Voice
Song a slightly ascending trill, repeated at several-second intervals.
Blackish-headed Spinetail (Synallaxis tithys) [XC121074]
by Andrew Spencer from Jorupe reserve, east of Macar\u00e1, Loja, Ecuador (song)
Blackish-headed Spinetail (Synallaxis tithys) [XC279628]
by Nick Athanas from Loja: Reserva Jorupe ca. 4 km E Macar\u00e1, Ecuador (call, blue jay call)