Tawny-faced Gnatwren

The tawny-faced gnatwren or half-collared gnatwren (Microbates cinereiventris) is a species of bird in the family Polioptilidae, the gnatcatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. == Taxonomy and systematics == The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and BirdLife International (BLI) recognize seven subspecies of tawny-faced gnatwren: Microbates cinereiventris semitorquatus Lawrence (1862) Microbates cinereiventris albapiculus Olson (1980) Microbates cinereiventris magdalenae Chapman (1915) Microbates cinereiventris cinereiventris Sclater (1855) Microbates cinereiventris unicus Olson (1980) Microbates cinereiventris hormotus Olson (1980) Microbates cinereiventris peruvianus Chapman (1923) However, the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society (SACC/AOS) and the Clements taxonomy have not accepted the three subspecies that Olson described but include them within M. c. peruvianus. == Description == The tawny-faced gnatwren is 9 to 11 cm (3.5 to 4.3 in) long and weighs 10 to 14 g (0.35 to 0.49 oz). The nominate subspecies has a rusty face with a rufous crown and a thin black stripe behind the eye. A wide black malar stripe ("moustache") separates its face from the white throat and upper breast; the last has thin black stripes. Its back is brown and its underparts are gray. The sexes are alike. The…