Short-billed Miner

Overview

The short-billed miner, Geositta antarctica, is a medium-sized ovenbird found in the southernmost reaches of South America. As one of the world's most southerly breeding passerines, it is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Dull grayish brown plumage with a pale supercilium and a darker eye-line; underparts are dull whitish with light buff-brown streaks on the breast.
• Measures 15 to 16 cm in length with a notably short, blackish bill that has a paler base to the mandible.
• Song consists of a series of doubled notes described as 'weetuk-weetuk-weetuk-weetuk-weetuk', with a shrill flight call sounding like 'tjeek, de trrrit, trritrritrritrritrrie'.

Habitat

Inhabits the Patagonian Steppe, comprising barren plains with sparse grasses and scattered shrubs, as well as temperate grasslands and sandy coastal areas. Its range covers Tierra del Fuego and parts of southern Argentina and Chile, with winter movements northwards to Mendoza Province in Argentina.

Diet

Forages singly or in pairs on the ground, feeding primarily on arthropods and seeds.

Did you know?

This bird is one of the most southerly breeding passerines in the world, nesting in tunnels excavated in the sides of dunes or earthen banks.