Cinclodes aricomae
The Royal Cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae) is a highly specialized and critically endangered passerine, part of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. This medium-sized cinclodes measures approximately 20-21 cm (8 inches) in length and weighs between 40-50 grams, displaying a rather drab but distinctive plumage. Its upperparts are a dull grayish-brown, with a darker head contrasting with a prominent, buffish-white supercilium that extends behind the eye, serving as a key field mark. A striking rufous...
Found exclusively in high-altitude Andean environments, typically between 3,500 and 4,800 meters (11,500-15,700 feet), dwelling near fast-flowing mountain streams often bordered by fragmented *Polylepis* woodlands and rocky terrain.
Feeds primarily on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, including insect larvae, beetles, and other small arthropods, foraging by probing and gleaning along stream banks and among rocks.
Royal Cinclodes are diurnal birds, primarily active during daylight hours when they forage along the edges of mountain streams and in adjacent *Polylepis* groves. They are typically observed solitarily or in pairs, exhibiting strong territorial behavior, especially during the breeding season. For...
The Royal Cinclodes has an extremely restricted and fragmented range, primarily found in the Andean highlands of southeastern Peru, specifically in the departments of Cusco and Puno. There are also a few historical records and unconfirmed sightings from northern Bolivia, though its presence there...
Critically Endangered
- The Royal Cinclodes is critically endangered, making it one of the rarest and most threatened birds in the Americas. - Its existence is tied almost exclusively to fragmented high-altitude *Polylepis* forests and the rapid streams that cut through them. - Despite its drab appearance, the rufous ...