The campo miner is a Vulnerable species of bird in the subfamily Sclerurinae, the leaftossers and miners, of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia and Brazil, and as a vagrant in Paraguay.
Region
South American Cerrado
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in the open grasslands and savanna of the Brazilian Cerrado, extending into adjacent eastern Bolivia, with occasional vagrants recorded in Paraguay. Prefers sparsely vegetated fields, cerrado sensu stricto, and ‘campo’ types with sandy or stony soils. It tolerates moderately grazed pastures and frequently uses recently burned areas where prey is more exposed. Uses earthen banks, road cuts, and natural slopes for nesting burrows.
Altitude Range
200–1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The campo miner is a ground-dwelling ovenbird specialized for open savanna and grassland in the South American Cerrado. It often runs to escape danger and flashes warm rufous in the wings and tail when it flies. It nests in tunnels excavated in earthen banks or flat friable soil, a typical trait of “miners” in its genus. Ongoing loss and degradation of Cerrado habitats have led to its Vulnerable status.
Temperament
wary and terrestrial
Flight Pattern
low, direct flights with short rapid wingbeats; brief undulations
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining territories in open habitats. Likely monogamous, both sexes participating in nesting activities. Excavates a tunnel for the nest chamber and lines it with grasses; may reuse suitable burrows across seasons.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high whistles that may accelerate into a short trill. Calls include sharp, dry chips given while foraging or in brief flights. Vocalizations carry well over open grassland.
Plumage
Sandy-brown upperparts with a bold pale supercilium and whitish throat; underparts pale with subtle streaking on the breast. In flight it shows a warm rufous wing panel and rufous tail with a darker subterminal band. Overall appearance is clean and open-country adapted, with short wings and a relatively long tail.
Diet
Feeds mainly on ground-dwelling arthropods such as ants, beetles, termites, and small grasshoppers. Occasionally takes other small invertebrates and rarely plant material. Forages by running and making short pecks or probes into loose soil, leaf litter, and at the bases of grasses. Recently burned areas and grazed patches are frequently exploited for exposed prey.
Preferred Environment
Open ground with sparse vegetation, including natural cerrado fields, road edges, and lightly grazed pastures. Often searches along bare soil, termite mounds, and stony patches where visibility and access to prey are high.
