Asthenes heterura
The Maquis Canastero (Asthenes heterura) is a distinctive, albeit often skulking, member of the Furnariidae family, or ovenbirds, endemic to the high Andes of Bolivia and Argentina. This relatively small passerine measures approximately 16-17 cm (6.3-6.7 inches) in length, characterized by its grayish-brown upperparts, a contrasting rusty-rufous rump, and a remarkably bicolored tail that gives it its specific epithet 'heterura' (meaning 'different tail')-a key identification feature. The tail...
Found primarily in arid to semi-arid montane shrubland, puna grasslands, and rocky slopes with dense bushes and thorny scrub. It typically inhabits elevations ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 meters (8,200-13,100 feet) above sea level.
Feeds predominantly on insects and other small invertebrates, such as spiders, gleaned from dense foliage, branches, and the ground within its shrubby habitat.
The Maquis Canastero is a diurnal species, spending most of its active hours gleaning invertebrates from dense vegetation close to the ground. It is generally observed singly or in pairs, exhibiting a rather skulking and secretive demeanor, often making it challenging to spot amidst the thick scr...
The Maquis Canastero is endemic to the central Andes of South America, with its distribution spanning across southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. In Bolivia, it is found in the departments of Cochabamba, PotosÃ, Chuquisaca, and Tarija. Its range extends southward into Argentina, encompass...
Least Concern
- The scientific name 'heterura' literally means 'different tail,' referring to its distinctive bicolored tail with rufous outer feathers and darker central ones. - Like other Furnariids (ovenbirds), it is presumed to build a bulky, often domed nest, though detailed nest descriptions for this spe...