Junin Canastero

Overview

The Junin canastero (Asthenes virgata) is a bird in the ovenbird family Furnariidae that is endemic to Peru. Classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, it is monotypic but genetically closely related to the scribble-tailed and many-striped canasteros.

Identification

• Length of approximately 17.5 to 18 cm with a recorded weight of 22 g, featuring an ochraceous brown face with a narrow buff supercilium.
• Black crown with orange brown streaks, and an olive brown back with black and buff streaks.
• Pale creamy brown breast and belly, with tawny olive flanks marked by buffy white streaks.
• Song described as a dry, accelerating, descending trill with a stuttering quality, often transcribed as 'tzree-tzree-tzree'ti'ti'ti'ti-ti'ti'ti-ti'ti'ti-ti'ti'tu'.

Habitat

This species has a disjunct distribution in central and southern Peru, primarily inhabiting humid landscapes with tall bunch grass, sometimes near scattered bushes or polylepis stands. It occupies elevations between 3,300 and 4,600 m, including rocky areas of bunchgrass without trees or bushes.

Diet

Although its specific diet has not been studied, it is assumed to consist mostly or entirely of arthropods. The bird usually forages on the ground, either singly or in pairs.

Did you know?

The Junin canastero can hybridise with the many-striped canastero in central Peru where their ranges slightly overlap. It is also potentially vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation caused by overgrazing.