Chaco Earthcreeper

Overview

The Chaco earthcreeper (Tarphonomus certhioides) is a small bird in the ovenbird family Furnariidae, found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay, with a single vagrant record in Brazil. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is considered fairly common throughout its range.

Identification

• Length of about 16 cm with a long, slightly decurved bill.
• Plumage is predominantly dull dark brown on the crown, back, and wings, with rufescent brown rump and tail edges.
• Face features an indistinct orange-rufous supercilium and a dull orange-rufous forehead, while the throat and cheeks are white.
• Song consists of 5–15 loud, squeaky, penetrating 'chiqui' notes that increase in intensity and descend in pitch, with a loud whistled 'tééoo' or 'tuéét' call.

Habitat

The species inhabits dense scrublands and deciduous woodland in the Chaco Basin, particularly in areas with terrestrial bromeliads, as well as slopes with dense shrubs in the Andean foothills. It is found across parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay, occurring at elevations up to 1,800 m.

Diet

The Chaco earthcreeper feeds on arthropods, foraging alone by gleaning prey from the ground and possibly from low vegetation.

Did you know?

Nests are constructed in diverse locations, including cavities in trees, rock faces, or old buildings, and the species will occasionally reuse the old stick nests of the Furnarius hornero.