#cinclodes

photograph by Ismael Echegaray

image by Clément panisse

April 6, 2024 - Cordoba Cinclodes, Comechingones Cinclodes, or Chestnut-winged Cinclodes (Cinclodes comechingonus) Found in open grassy habitats in central Argentina, these birds in the ovenbird family migrate north or to lower elevations outside of the breeding season. Usually foraging in pairs on the ground, they eat insects, mollusks, and seeds, picking their prey from surfaces. They build their nests at the ends of tunnels dug into banks or in rock crevices from grasses, hair, and leaves. Females lay clutches of two eggs.

Photo credit: Mason Maron via Macaulay Library

Cinclodes excelsior by Yamil Saenz

December 19, 2023 - Blackish Cinclodes (Cinclodes antarcticus) Found on the southern tip of South America and several offshore islands, including the Falkland Islands, these birds in the ovenbird family live on rocky beaches, often around seabird colonies, and in grassy areas. Foraging alone or in pairs, they feed mostly on arthropods and marine invertebrates, along with cracked penguin and cormorant eggs and other scraps found around seabird nests. They build their nests in tunnels dug into banks near beaches, or in crevices in rocks, old buildings, petrel or penguin burrows, and logs or debris, lining the nest chambers with dry grass, root fibers, and feathers. Females lay clutches of two or three eggs and both parents feed the chicks.