Rusty-headed Spinetail is a rare furnariid found only in northern Colombia. Restricted to the Santa Marta Mountains, this species is found in forest undergrowth and edge habitat between 2000 and 3000 meters in elevation. In appearance, it is largely rufous with a bright rusty-orange head, an olive-gray back and grayish flanks. In the Santa Martas, the Rusty-headed Spinetail is the only Synallaxis to be found, so it is rather easy to identify there. The species’ three-part song, which is frequently repeated, is a good way to detect this secretive species.