Rusty-backed spinetail

The rusty-backed spinetail was formally described in 1856 by the Austrain ornithologist August von Pelzeln under the binomial name Synallaxis vulpina.[2][3] The specific epithet is from Latin vulpinus meaning "fox-like" (ie reddish-brown above and white beneath).[4] The rusty-backed spinetail is now placed in the genus Cranioleuca that was introduced in 1853 by Ludwig Reichenbach.[5]

Four subspecies are recognised:[5]

• C. v. apurensis Zimmer, JT & Phelps, WH, 1948 – west Venezuela
• C. v. vulpina (Pelzeln, 1856) – northeast Colombia to central, south Venezuela, west Guyana and north, central Brazil to northeast Bolivia
• C. v. foxi Bond, J & Meyer de Schauensee, 1940 – central Bolivia
• C. v. reiseri (Reichenberger, 1922) – northeast Brazil

The taxon from Panama is considered a separate species, the Coiba spinetail (C. dissita).[5]

It is found in most of central and northern South America and southern Central America including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland and is most commonly found in dense undergrowth or vine covered forests [6] The population has been reported in decline due to predation by invasive species but is not believed to be approaching the thresholds for vulnerable status.[7]