A 16–18 cm miner with cinnamon-brown upperparts and a gray-brown, weakly contrasting crown. Pale ochraceous eyebrow. Whitish wing band with cream-ochre tint, more visible in flight than when perched. Brown tail with cinnamon outer corners. Short, fine bill. Underparts whitish to beige with warmer tones on the flanks. Juvenile: duller, with more brownish tones. Differs from the Chestnut Miner (C. atacamensis), with which it may overlap, by being smaller, with a finer bill, paler coloration, and lacking the strong chestnut tones, white wing band and white tail tips of the Chestnut Miner.
Geographic distribution: Andes from northern Peru to northern Chile, Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. In Argentina: Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca and La Rioja. Altitudinal range mostly 2,100–5,000 m, more common from 2,700–4,800 m. Moves downslope in winter or during harsh weather.
Habitat: High-Andean streams, wetlands, bofedales, puna and prepuna watercourses, montane rivers in Yungas, ravines and wetlands with soft or rocky soils. Common near human structures in high-elevation areas. Usually the most common miner in humid high-Andean environments of NW Argentina.
Behavior: Active, moves quickly. Forages on ground, mud, shallow water, rocks and low vegetation. Solitary or in pairs. During displays it sings while performing a characteristic circular wing-opening motion. Territorial during breeding season. Song consists of alternating series of very high-pitched notes and rapid, undulating trills. Calls include dry “tsip/jit” notes.
Diet: Invertebrates such as beetles, flies and larvae, foraged in mud, between stones, in moist grasslands, stream edges and even dung. Occasionally eats seeds.
Nesting: Nest placed at the end of a 35–75 cm tunnel dug in banks or slopes, 1–2.5 m above ground. Entrance 8–10 cm wide; chamber lined with grasses and some hair. May also nest in human structures. Clutch of 2 white eggs.
Conservation status: Not considered threatened. Common throughout its range.
Authors of this compilation: Diego Carus and Maria Belén Dri – 06/12/2025