Order:
Passeriformes
Family:
Furnariidae
The Stout-billed Cinclodes (Cinclodes excelsior) is a species of bird in the Furnariidae family. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland and subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland
Description
It measures about 20 cm and weighs about 62 or 66 g. has a robust and black beak which messure about 25mm. The plumage of the upper parts is brown; It has a long whitish superciliary line and the throat is white. The underparts are creamy brown, with pale spots. The wings are darker with a chestnut patch on the secondaries. The tail is brown with tan edges.
Distribution
It is distributed separately in the Andes of central Colombia and from the extreme southwest of Colombia to southern Ecuador
Habitat
This species is considered quite common in its natural habitats, the moor, among low bushes, rocks, preferably near water. It can also be found in agricultural areas adjacent to the moors.
Feeding
It feeds mainly on invertebrates, occasionally consuming small vertebrates and seeds. It looks for its prey in the mud or in humid ground.
Breeding
It nests in the bottom covered with plant material of a gallery 0.7 to 1.1 m deep. The female lays two eggs.
Behavior
Stay alone, in pairs, or in loose groups. It is a land bird that runs quickly on the ground with a low body. It captures its prey by probing in the mud, digging in soft soil and throwing debris to the sides. Sometimes also by gleaning in low foliage.
Taxonomy
Sometimes classified in the genus Geositta. Previously considered conspecific with C. aricomae from which it differs in plumage and microhabitat use
Conservation status
At the national and international level, it is classified as a species of least concern.
Vocalization/ Song
https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Cinclodes-excelsior
References
https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=5CD6A77B32755331
https://www.icesi.edu.co/wiki_aves_colombia/tiki-index.php?page=C%C3%ADnclodes+Cavador+-+Cinclodes+excelsior
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinclodes_excelsior
