Steinbach's Canastero Pseudasthenes steinbachi Scientific name definitions

The Steinbach’s Canastero has also been known as the Chestnut Canastero. It is endemic to Argentina; found from Salta in the north to Mendoza in the south. Its abundance appears to be greater in the southern half of its range. Recent molecular evidence suggests that this along with three other species should be separated into the genus Pseudasthenes as they are not closely related to true Asthenes canasteros. In parts of Argentina the Steinbach’s may be present sympatrically with the Creamy-breasted Canastero (Asthenes dorbignyi); the Steinbach’s shows a grey crown and back, and strongly rufous tones to the rear half of the bird, the outer edge of the tail (at least two feathers) are entirely rufous, and other rectrices are edged in rufous at their bases. The Steinbach’s Canastero is found in shrubby lower slopes of the Argentine Andes, as well as inter-andean rainshadow valleys. It is a poorly known species.

15–16 cm; 14–20 g. Rather greyish canastero lacking streaks and throat patch. Has mostly greyish-brown face , paler supercilium; crown and back dull grey-brown, greyest on nape, blending to chestnut rump and rufous-chestnut uppertail-coverts; wings mostly rufous, distal halves of remiges dark fuscous; tail graduated, central rectrices gradually tapering to slightly pointed tips, outer feathers rufous, rest blackish fuscous with rufescent margins on outer webs; chin and throat whitish with faint dusky tips, breast and belly greyish, flanks and undertail-coverts tawny-rufous; iris brown to dark brown; bill black to dark brown; tarsus and toes brown to black. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed.

Not described.