Steinbach's canastero or the chestnut canastero, is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Argentina.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs in arid to semi-arid shrublands, rocky slopes with scattered cacti, and open scrub along the Andean foothills and intermontane valleys of northwestern Argentina. It favors areas with dense thorny bushes and bunchgrasses where it can forage low and remain concealed. The species tolerates broken terrain, ravines, and patchy vegetation mosaics created by grazing. It is generally absent from closed forests and humid lowlands.
Altitude Range
900–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Steinbach's canastero, also called the chestnut canastero, is an ovenbird of arid Andean foothills and scrub in northwestern Argentina. It builds bulky dome-shaped stick nests tucked into thorny shrubs, a trait that gives canasteros their name. The species is a secretive skulk, often detected by its dry, rattling song before being seen.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over scrub
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs that maintain territories year-round. Nests are bulky, dome-shaped structures of sticks with a side entrance, placed within thorny shrubs for protection. Clutch size is small, and both members of the pair participate in nest building and care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A dry, rattling series that may accelerate and end in a trill, often delivered from within cover or low perches. Calls include sharp tchik notes and rapid chatters used in pair contact and alarm.
Plumage
Predominantly warm chestnut-rufous with paler, buffy underparts and subtle dusky streaking on the upperparts. Long, graduated rufous tail and compact, rounded wings typical of canasteros. A fine buff supercilium and paler throat contrast slightly with the face.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and larvae gleaned from shrubs and the ground. It probes into twiggy tangles and leaf litter and will sally short distances to pick prey. Occasional ingestion of small seeds may occur, especially in the dry season.
Preferred Environment
Feeds low within thorny scrub, around cacti, and on rocky ground with sparse vegetation. Often forages along edges of ravines and in open patches between bushes where it can dash for cover.
