Tawny Tit-Spinetail

Furnariid about 16–17 cm long with a very long, pointed tail of intense rufous tone. It has a rufous forehead and an inconspicuous whitish eyebrow, and lacks a crest. The back is tawny brown; the chest and throat are lighter, of creamy ochraceous tone, and the belly is cinnamon. The wings are dark brown with a broad reddish band. The bill is slender, black with a pinkish-gray base below, and the legs are dark gray. Male and female are similar.

Geographical distribution: Inhabits the Andes of central and southern Peru, western Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina. In Argentina, it was discovered only in the 1990s, confirming its presence in northern Jujuy and Salta. It occupies very restricted areas between 2,900 and 3,600 m a.s.l., associated with queñoa forests (Polylepis spp.) and high Andean grasslands, in the upper level of the Yungas.

Habitat: Found in high Andean grasslands, scrublands, and rocky mountain areas with relict queñoa forests (Polylepis spp.) and patches of mountain alder (Alnus acuminata), generally in humid ravines. Prefers dense and low vegetation.

Feeding: Insectivorous. Captures small arthropods among the foliage of shrubs and queñoa branches, although it occasionally forages on the ground.

Behavior: Active and restless, moving quickly among branches and leaves, climbing and performing short flights between trees or bushes. Seen alone or in pairs, and occasionally in small mixed flocks with other furnariid species, such as the rusty-vented canastero (Leptasthenura fuliginiceps). Emits a long, trilling song, fast and descending.

Nesting: A nest found in Bolivia in December was described as a rounded structure made of dry grass stems about 25 cm in diameter, with a lateral entrance, located about 2.5 m high in a queñoa tree (Polylepis). The interior was lined with sheep wool and plant fibers.

Conservation status: Species with a very restricted distribution, associated with sensitive and fragmented high Andean habitats. In Argentina, it is categorized as Vulnerable (VU) due to the degradation of queñoa forests by logging, grazing, and fires. Internationally, it is listed as Least Concern (LC), although its population trend is decreasing and it could be considered Near Threatened (NT) locally.