Pale-tailed Canastero
NamePale-tailed Canastero
Common NamePale-tailed Canastero
Scientific NameAsthenes huancavelicae
FamilyFurnariidae
Wingspan (cm)22
Length (cm)16
Weight (g)17.5
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are dull brown, with a slightly paler brown crown and a faint pale supercilium above the eye. Underparts are grayish-white, often with a buffy or rufous wash on the flanks and undertail coverts. The most distinctive feature is its long, graduated tail, which is pale rufous or buffy, especially on the outer rectrices.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations typically consist of a series of dry, rattling or trilling notes, often accelerating into a chattering burst. Calls can also include sharp 'tchip' notes.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsmountain, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to the high Andes of central Peru, specifically found in the departments of Huancavelica, Ayacucho, and Apurímac. It inhabits puna grassland and montane scrub at elevations typically between 3,000 and 4,500 meters.
Identifying FeaturesLong, stiff, pale rufous tail, Drab brown plumage with pale underparts, Faint pale supercilium, Terrestrial foraging behavior, High-altitude Andean habitat in central Peru
Description
The Pale-tailed Canastero is a small, drab brown ovenbird characterized by its long, stiff, pale-colored tail. It typically forages on or near the ground in dense scrub, often flicking its tail as it moves. This species is endemic to the high-altitude Andes of central Peru.
