A plain, chunky canastero of the Monte desert region in Argentina. Often in low, dense vegetation. From other canasteros by its relatively plain gray head. From similar Patagonian Canastero by Steinbach’s rufous wing and tail feathers. Prefers thorn forest and open woodland. Song a fast series of notes, lower and more gravelly than the similar Patagonian Canastero, slightly accelerating over the ~2 seconds in which it is given.