The pale-tailed canastero, is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Peru.
Region
Central Andes
Typical Environment
Endemic to the highlands of central Peru, primarily in the Andean departments surrounding Huancavelica and adjacent regions. It inhabits open puna with scattered shrubs, rocky slopes, and ravines, and frequents edges of Polylepis woodland. The species keeps close to the ground and dense cover, moving through bunchgrasses and low bushes. It tolerates patchy human-altered landscapes if shrub structure remains. Local abundance varies with shrub density and slope aspect.
Altitude Range
3000–4500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The pale-tailed canastero is a small ovenbird of high Andean scrub and puna grasslands, where it keeps low and weaves through dense shrubs with its long, often-cocked tail. Its name refers to the noticeably pale tail, a key field mark that contrasts with warmer brown wings and back. It builds bulky stick nests typical of canasteros, often placed in thorny shrubs or grass tussocks. Pairs maintain territories year-round and give sharp chips and rattling trills from exposed perches.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low undulating flights between shrubs
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs that maintain territories year-round. Nests are bulky structures of sticks placed low in shrubs or grass tussocks; both sexes participate in building and care. Courtship and pair contact include tail-cocking displays and duet-like calls. Joins mixed-species flocks only rarely.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a dry, accelerating rattle or trill that may rise slightly in pitch, delivered from a shrub or rock outcrop. Calls include sharp chips and scratchy notes used for contact and alarm. Vocalizations carry well across open puna in calm conditions.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with slightly rufous wings, pale buff underparts, and a distinctly pale, graduated tail that is often held cocked. Subtle buffy supercilium and a plainer face; throat paler and lightly washed buff. Feathers appear somewhat loose and spiky on the tail when fanned.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods, including insects and their larvae, spiders, and occasional small beetles. It gleans from shrub foliage, probes among bunchgrasses, and picks prey from rocky crevices. Foraging is methodical and low to the ground, with quick dashes between cover. It rarely pursues flying insects and relies on stealthy, close-range capture.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shrubby puna, rocky slopes, and edges of dwarf Polylepis patches where cover is interspersed with open ground. Often works along ravines and road cuts that provide exposed soil and rock. Uses shrub tangles for both foraging and quick retreats from danger.
