Austral Canastero

About the Austral Canastero

The austral canastero (Asthenes anthoides) is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina and Chile. Before the middle of the twentieth century, the austral canastero was bounced around several genera but since then has almost universally been placed in Asthenes. The austral canastero is monotypic. It and the similar Hudson's canastero (A. hudsoni) are sister species.

The austral canastero's English name refers to its southern distribution and its specific epithet anthoides refers to its resemblance to pipits of genus Anthus. The austral canastero is 15.5 to 16.5 cm (6.1 to 6.5 in) long and weighs 21 to 23 g (0.74 to 0.81 oz). It is the southernmost canastero, and one of several streaked canasteros that have drab plumages with dark stripes on their upperparts. It has a shorter tail than many other canasteros. The sexes have the same plumage, but there is much individual variation. Adults have a whitish or pale buff supercilium and dark dusky lores on an otherwise sandy brownish face. Their crown, back, and rump are sandy brown with conspicuous blackish streaks. Their wings... Wikipedia →