Order Passeriformes Scientific name Asthenes Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Family Furnariidae Higher classification Ovenbird | |
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Lower classifications Cordilleran canastero, Short‑billed canastero, Hudson's canastero, Rusty‑vented canastero, Cactus canastero | ||
Many striped canastero asthenes flammulata
Canasteros and thistletails are small passerine birds of South America belonging to the genus Asthenes. The name "canastero" comes from Spanish and means "basket-maker", referring to the large, domed nests these species make of sticks or grass. They feed on insects and other invertebrates.
Contents
- Many striped canastero asthenes flammulata
- Cordilleran canastero asthenes modesta
- Taxonomy
- Description
- Distribution and habitat
- Species list
- References
Cordilleran canastero asthenes modesta
Taxonomy
There are 28 species which belong to the genus Asthenes in the ovenbird family Furnariidae. In 2010 four species, the cactus, dusky-tailed, Steinbach's and Patagonian canasteros, were split off into the new genus Pseudasthenes.
Description
They are typically 15–18 cm long and slim with long tails and thin, pointed bills. They are mostly dull and brown in colour but vary in tail pattern and presence of streaking. They have trilling songs.
Distribution and habitat
Most species occur in open country and scrubland in southern South America and the Andes.
Species list
