Long-tailed Reed Finch

Subspecies: No described subspecies, only the nominal one (Vieillot, 1817).

Description: 15 cm, Grayish head. White eyebrow. Brown back striped with black. Cinnamon-colored ventral area, long tail (8 cm) with pointed tips. Juveniles are easily distinguished from adults by a speckling all over their body that is more noticeable on the head, where it is not completely grayish, and they also have a shorter tail (Narosky & Yzurieta, 2010).

Sexual Dimorphism: Present, but very difficult to appreciate in the field. The female has darker streaks on the back and a lighter belly compared to the male.

Geographic Distribution: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Habitat: Grasslands and reed beds.

Behavior: Confident and curious. Perches upright on top of grasses or reeds.

Nesting: Builds its nest among grasses or in low shrubs. The nest is a small cup made with roots lined inside with grass, where two or three grayish eggs with black spots are deposited, mainly at the blunt end.

Diet: Insects and seeds.

Author of this description: Diego Oscar