Animalia Life

Ochetorhynchus harterti
SUBFAMILY
Furnariinae
TAXONOMY
Ochetorhynchus harterti Berlepsch, 1892.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Upucerthie de Bolivie; German: Braunkappen-Erdhacker; Spanish: Bandurrita Boliviana.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body length is about 6 in (17 cm). Bill is rather long, somewhat downcurved, and pointed. The tail is long. The sexes are similar. Overall coloration is dull brown on the back, with a lighter belly, white throat, and a tan stripe over the eye.
DISTRIBUTION
A local (or endemic) species of the Andean region of southern Bolivia.
HABITAT
Occurs in foothills and lower slopes of Andean valleys within its limited range. Occurs near edges of deciduous woods and in dry shrubby habitats. Often occurs in microhabitats with a high density of terrestrial bromeliads. Occurs within an altitudinal range of 4,700–9,700 ft (1,430–2,960 m).
BEHAVIOR
A non-migratory species. Usually occurs singly or in pairs. Defends a breeding territory. Tends to skulk among cover on the ground or in dense near-ground cover. Often cocks its long tail erect. The song is a series of loud, piercing, steady or descending notes.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Forages in low shrubs and trees and on the ground for insects and other small invertebrates.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
The nest has not yet been observed, but a closely related species builds a nest of twigs within a natural tree-hollow or in a clump of rocks, or sometimes in an ‘oven’ abandoned by another species of ovenbird. Both the male and female incubate the eggs and rear the nestlings.
CONSERVATION STATUS
An endemic and rather uncommon species, but not considered at risk.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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