Cinclodes palliatus
The White-bellied Cinclodes (*Cinclodes palliatus*) is an enigmatic and critically endangered songbird, a high-altitude specialist endemic to the central Peruvian Andes. Measuring approximately 20-23 cm (7.9-9.1 inches) in length and weighing 50-60 grams (1.8-2.1 ounces), this member of the ovenbird family (Furnariidae) is instantly recognizable by its striking white underparts, which contrast sharply with its dark brown upperparts. Key field marks include a prominent rufous patch on the prim...
This species exclusively inhabits high-Andean puna wetlands, particularly boggy areas, marshy stream edges, and wet grasslands, typically at elevations between 4400 and 5100 meters (14,400-16,700 feet).
The White-bellied Cinclodes primarily feeds on invertebrates, including insects, their larvae, and small crustaceans, which it gleans and probes from wet soil and under stones.
White-bellied Cinclodes are diurnal birds, typically observed singly or in pairs, foraging along the edges of high-Andean streams and bogs. Their foraging strategy involves methodically probing wet soil and mud with their robust bills, often turning over small stones or gleaning invertebrates fro...
The White-bellied Cinclodes is an ultra-restricted resident of the high Andes of central Peru, with its entire known range confined to a few isolated localities. Its distribution primarily encompasses parts of the JunÃn, Pasco, and Lima Departments. There are no migratory movements; individuals r...
Critically Endangered
- The White-bellied Cinclodes is one of the rarest and most critically endangered bird species in the world, with a population estimated to be fewer than 250 mature individuals. - It is found exclusively in a tiny, fragmented range in the high Andes of central Peru. - This species lives at extrem...