Description: Large and robust ground-tyrant of about 17 cm. Overall plumage sandy brown-gray with a fine pale eyebrow and whitish throat. Underparts pale buff with cinnamon flanks whose intensity varies among subspecies. Very conspicuous rufous wing band formed by the reddish bases of the remiges plus a black subterminal band, features clearly visible in flight and its most distinctive trait. Tail rufous with a black subapical band and pale tip. Bill short and straight, legs gray. Throughout its range it coexists with other ground-tyrants. It is distinguished mainly by its large size, unscaled chest, cinnamon flanks, and strongly rufous wing and tail pattern visible in flight.
Subspecies: • rufipennis (Jujuy to San Juan), fragai (Famatina) and ottowi (Pampa de Achala): more ochre-brown, more reddish flanks, wings with more extensive rufous, slow and low buzzing song. “Buzzing” song. • hoyi (Mendoza to Neuquén) and Fasciata (Neuquén to Santa Cruz): grayer, less ochre, less reddish flanks, wings and tail less rufous, fast and high-pitched trilling song. “Trilling” song.
Distribution: Andes of Bolivia, Chile and Argentina, from Jujuy and Salta south to Santa Cruz, and in the central sierras of Córdoba and San Luis, between 700 and 4500 m a.s.l. (in NW Argentina from 2400 m). High-altitude populations perform altitudinal migrations, descending in winter.
Habitat: Open and rocky environments of mountain ranges, Andes and pre-Andean foothills. Rocky slopes, high arid plains, plateaus, cactus zones, ravines and hills with low vegetation. Frequent near mountain streams and rocky walls.
Behavior: Terrestrial species, walking, tame and curious. Runs among stones moving its neck and body like a small chicken. Perches on exposed rocks or posts. Flies low with undulating flight. Territorial, chases other ground-tyrants. Very vocal during breeding.
Vocalizations: • Northern form (buzzing): deep, slow and harsh song “GRRI-GRRI-GRRI”, like a prolonged stony buzz. • Southern form (trilling): rapid, high-pitched trill “chi-chi-chi-chi-PPPPrrr” in an accelerating sequence.
Diet: Mainly insects and other arthropods. Captures prey among stones or by lifting small rocks with bill or feet. May strike lizards or moths against rocks to dismember them. Includes seeds in winter.
Reproduction: Nest in crevices, caves or tunnels excavated in slopes or rocks; deep entrance, inner chamber lined with grasses, wool, hair and feathers. 2–5 white eggs.
Conservation status: Not threatened. Very common throughout its range.
Authors of this compilation: Diego Carus and Maria Belén Dri – 06/12/2025