Streak-throated Canastero

Overview

The streak-throated canastero (Asthenes humilis) is a small bird belonging to the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is considered fairly common to common across much of its range in the Andes.

Identification

• A medium-sized bird, 15 to 16 cm long, with a dull whitish buff supercilium and dark brownish lores on a streaked face.
• The throat features thin blackish streaks and an orange-rufous chin, contrasting with pale brown breast and belly.
• Upperparts are dull dark brown with faint darker streaks and rufous on the wing coverts; legs are grayish olive to brownish gray.
• The song is described as a quavering, soft trill lasting 2–5 seconds, accompanied by shorter doubled or tripled trills and bursts of 'pit' contact calls.

Habitat

This species inhabits puna grassland in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes, often preferring areas with rocky outcrops and sometimes scattered bushes. Its elevation range spans from 2,750 to 4,800 m, and it is mostly a year-round resident, though it may move downslope to avoid snowstorms.

Diet

The streak-throated canastero feeds on arthropods and seeds. It forages singly or in pairs, gleaning prey from the ground and bunches of grass.

Did you know?

The species is believed to be monogamous and constructs a ball-shaped nest of grass with a side entrance, lined with feathers, hair, and soft plant material, typically placed on the ground in a clump of bunch grass.