Asthenes luizae
The Cipo Canastero (*Asthenes luizae*) is a small, enigmatic ovenbird, averaging about 15 cm (6 inches) in length and weighing 14-18 grams. Its upperparts are a dull olive-brown, often punctuated by a distinct rufous-brown cap and a subtle whitish supercilium that aids in identification. Underparts are generally whitish, sometimes with a faint buffy wash on the flanks, and a small, often indistinct, pale rufous throat patch might be present. A key field mark is its relatively long, graduated ...
Found exclusively in high-altitude campos rupestres (rocky grasslands and shrublands) above 900-1000m, characterized by dense, low vegetation and rocky outcrops.
Feeds primarily on insects and other small invertebrates, which it gleans from foliage, bark, and occasionally the ground within dense shrubbery.
The Cipo Canastero is primarily diurnal, often observed actively foraging within the dense undergrowth and low shrubs of its rocky habitat. It employs a gleaning foraging strategy, meticulously picking insects and other small invertebrates from foliage, bark, and occasionally the ground, frequent...
The Cipo Canastero boasts an exceptionally restricted geographic distribution, being entirely endemic to southeastern Brazil. Its entire known range is confined to the higher elevations of the Espinhaço Range, specifically centered around the Serra do Cipó within the state of Minas Gerais. This s...
Vulnerable
- The Cipo Canastero was only formally described by science in 1989, making it a relatively recent avian discovery. - Its common name, "Cipo," refers to the Serra do Cipó, a mountain range in Brazil where it is primarily found. - The term "canastero" comes from the Spanish word for "basket maker,...