Cinclodes oustaleti

This species and Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus proved to be a little identification challenge for us. Fortunately, things were made a little easier when we met Steve Howell when we were watching this individual, for he knew (and pointed out) what to look for.
While Dark-bellied usually shows a very prominent white supercilium, this is often much less well-developed in grey-flanked. As can be seen from the pictures, it is clear and well-defined in front of the eye, and extends well beyond the ear-coverts in Dark-bellied, while in Grey-flanked it is hardly visible between the eye and the bill, and is somewhat narrow behind the eye, just reaching the end of the ear-coverts, but not 'hooking down' beyond that area as on that species.
Furthermore, Grey-flanked is much more a nervously foraging bird, often flicking and wagging its tail, while Dark-bellied usually forages more deliberately.
Also the bill can be used to separate the two: it is powerful and almost straight in Dark-bellied, but fine and somewhat decurved in Grey-flanked, almost like that of Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus .

Copyright ©Teus Luijendijk 2003