Animalia Life

Cinclodes fuscus
SUBFAMILY
Furnariinae
TAXONOMY
Cinclodes fuscus Vieillot, 1818.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Cinclode brun; German: Binden-Uferwipper; Spanish: Ticotico de Cuello Blanco.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body length is about 7 in (17–17.5 cm). Bill is rather short, almost straight, and pointed. The tail is of medium length. The sexes are similar. The overall coloration is dull brown on the back, with a tan belly, white throat finely barred with brown, conspicuous whitish or tan wing-stripes visible in flight, and a white stripe over the eye. There is significant geographic variation in the plumage coloration of this widespread species.
DISTRIBUTION
Occurs in isolated pockets of the Andean region from southern Venezuela through Colombia, and more continuously through Ecuador, Peru, western Bolivia, and Chile and western Argentina throughout Patagonia.
HABITAT
Inhabits open grasslands at higher altitudes of the mountains and at lower levels in Patagonia. Usually occurs in the vicinity of surface water, such as streams, rivers, ponds, or lakes. Occurs as high as about 16,400 ft (5,000 m).
BEHAVIOR
Mostly a non-migratory species, although Patagonian populations may migrate northward to spend their winter in a lower latitude. Usually occurs singly or in pairs. Defends a breeding territory. A largely terrestrial bird that runs and hops over the ground, and also perches in shrubs. The song is a short, rapid trill, often given in flight.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Forages for insects and other small invertebrates on the ground, often by probing into soft earth with its bill.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Builds a nest in a burrow that it excavates itself, or in a natural cavity in an earthen bank or rock pile. Both the male and female incubate the eggs and rear the nestlings.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. A widespread and abundant species within its
HABITAT
.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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