Patagonian Canastero

The Patagonian canastero is 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 14 to 19 g (0.49 to 0.67 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a light grayish brown face with hints of a paler supercilium and darker line behind the eye. Their crown and upperparts are light gray-brown. Their wings are somewhat browner and the feathers have somewhat rufescent edges. Their tail is dark gray-brown with chestnut on the outer feathers. Their chin and throat are grayish white with black flecks and streaks on the latter. Their breast is pale grayish, their upper belly pale buff-gray, their lower belly and flanks tawny, and their undertail coverts tawny-rufous.

The Patagonian canastero is found in southern Argentina from the provinces of Mendoza, La Pampa, and Buenos Aires south into northern Santa Cruz Province. It inhabits semi-arid to arid steppe scrublands from near sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft).

The Patagonian canastero feeds mostly on arthropods with some seeds also part of its diet. As best is known, it forages by itself, gleaning prey from the ground and low vegetation.