Cordoba Cinclodes

Cinclodes comechingonus

The Cordoba Cinclodes, *Cinclodes comechingonus*, is a medium-sized passerine, typically measuring 18-19 cm in length and weighing around 30-40 grams. Its plumage is predominantly dull brownish above, with slightly paler underparts, and a conspicuous pale supercilium above the eye. A key field mark is the rufous patch on its primary coverts, visible primarily in flight. Closely related to other Cinclodes species within the Furnariidae family (ovenbirds), it shares the genus's characteristic a...

Habitat

Found in high-altitude (1000-2800m) rocky grasslands and open shrublands of the Pampa de Achala ecosystem, often near streams, bogs, or other moist areas.

Diet

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates including insects and their larvae, which it gleans and probes from the ground, rocks, and sparse vegetation.

Behavior

The Cordoba Cinclodes is a highly terrestrial bird, spending most of its time foraging on the ground, hopping among rocks, or probing in soft soil and moss. It exhibits a characteristic tail-wagging behavior, often described as a 'seesaw' motion, a trait common among cinclodes. They are typically...

Range

The Cordoba Cinclodes is strictly endemic to the high-altitude Sierras Grandes of central Argentina, specifically found within the Cordoba and San Luis provinces. Its distribution is confined primarily to the Pampa de Achala ecosystem, an elevated plateau and mountain range. It is a resident spec...

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Fun Facts

- The Cordoba Cinclodes is endemic to just two provinces in Argentina: Cordoba and San Luis. - It is one of the most range-restricted species within the diverse *Cinclodes* genus, making it a specialist of its unique habitat. - Its scientific name, *comechingonus*, refers to the Comechingón indig...

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