Short-billed Canastero

Overview

The short-billed canastero (Asthenes baeri) is a small passerine bird belonging to the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, with a very large range across South America, though its population size is unknown and believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Measures 14 to 15 cm in length and weighs between 10 and 18 g, with a short, thick bill that makes it more similar to the unrelated little thornbird than other canasteros.
• Adults possess dull grayish-brown plumage with an indistinct wide grayish supercilium, a pale grayish chin, and orange-tawny upper throat with a darker lower margin.
• The tail features innermost feathers that are dark brownish fuscous, contrasting with dull rufous outer feathers, while the flanks and undertail coverts are pale rufescent.
• The song consists of a high-pitched, fast sequence of 'seep' notes that speed into a trill, or alternatively, short, buzzing 'pzzz' phrases.

Habitat

Found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, the species inhabits arid lowland scrublands, Gran Chaco scrub and woodlands, and woodlands of the Monte Desert. It resides at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,300 m and is a year-round resident throughout its range.

Diet

This bird feeds on a wide variety of arthropods, foraging either singly or in pairs. It captures prey primarily by gleaning low vegetation, and to a lesser extent, on the ground.

Did you know?

The short-billed canastero constructs a remarkable oval nest of spiny branches up to 35 cm wide and 20 cm tall, featuring a tunnel entrance on top that leads to a chamber floored with feathers, hair, flowers, and moss.