Large and slender canastero, about 17 cm long, with a long, pointed tail and a streaked pattern. It shows a rufous forehead that contrasts with the brown crown and back, which are densely streaked with white. The throat is pale gray, without a gular spot, and the belly is grayish with streaks on the flanks. The wings are dark brown with reddish edges, and the tail is long and sharp. The iris is brown, the bill gray, and the legs olive-colored. Male and female are similar; juveniles have a duller forehead and a more mottled belly.
Geographic distribution: It inhabits the Andes of southern Peru, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina. In the country, it occurs in Jujuy, Salta, and Tucumán up to northern Catamarca, between 3,000 and 4,200 m a.s.l., in high-altitude grasslands above the upper limit of the Yungas, with stable populations in Santa Ana (Jujuy) and the Calchaquí Ranges (Tucumán).
Habitat: Prefers well-preserved, dense high-Andean grasslands dominated by Festuca, with the presence of rocky outcrops, low shrubs, and humid areas on steep slopes and ravines.
Diet: Insectivorous. It captures small arthropods among grasses, low shrubs, or on the ground; occasionally catches flying insects through short and fast flights. Usually solitary or in pairs.
Behavior: Remains hidden among tall and dense grasses, moving with agility and rarely showing itself. Nevertheless, its presence is often revealed by its strong and clear whistle—a short and sharp “pfuíip”—emitted from within the vegetation or, occasionally, from a rock when it feels threatened.
Nesting: Little known. It is presumed to nest among bushes or dense clumps, building a cup-shaped nest with dry grasses and plant fibers.
Conservation status: Species with a restricted distribution and uncommon in northwestern Argentina. Its habitat, limited to high-Andean grasslands, is affected by overgrazing and burning. In Argentina, it is classified as Insufficiently Known (IC), while internationally it is listed as Least Concern (LC).