The grey-flanked cinclodes, formerly known as Oustalet's cinclodes, is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina and Chile.
Region
Southern Andes of Chile and Argentina
Typical Environment
Occurs from central to southern Chile and adjacent Argentina, mainly along the Andean and Patagonian foothills. Favors rocky river margins, wet grasslands, cushion bogs, and open Nothofagus forest edges. It also uses windswept shrub-steppe and scree slopes with scattered vegetation. During harsher seasons some birds move to lower valleys with running water and open ground.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey-flanked cinclodes, formerly known as Oustalet's cinclodes, is a ground-oriented ovenbird of the southern Andes. It forages along rocky streams, wet meadows, and open shrub-steppe, often wagging its tail and probing among stones and moss. In flight it shows warm rufous tones in the wings and tail that contrast with its otherwise earthy browns and gray flanks. It nests in burrows or crevices, typically in earthen banks or rock faces.
Temperament
wary and terrestrial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats close to the ground, low direct hops between rocks
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining feeding territories along streams and open slopes. Pairs are monogamous and nest in burrows they excavate in earthen banks or use natural crevices. Both sexes participate in territory defense and provisioning of young.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a fast, tinkling series of high-pitched trills and thin notes delivered from a rock perch or low shrub, often at dawn. Calls include sharp, metallic ticks and thin seep notes used during foraging and contact.
Plumage
Earthy brown upperparts with a pale buff supercilium, whitish throat, and gray-washed flanks; underparts otherwise pale brown with faint mottling. In flight, shows rufous panels in the wings and rufous edges to the tail. Feathers are fairly plain and smooth-textured, aiding camouflage among rocks and soil.
Diet
Primarily takes terrestrial and riparian invertebrates such as beetles, larvae, ants, spiders, and small worms. Probes among stones, leaf litter, and moss, and gleans from mud edges and shallow water margins. Occasionally captures small aquatic invertebrates flushed by current.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along rocky stream banks, wet meadows, and boggy patches with exposed soil and stones. Also forages on open slopes and paths where invertebrates are easier to detect.
