Synallaxe à queue marbrée Asthenes maculicauda

Streaky brown bird found in grassy areas at very high elevations in the Andes above treeline. Its unstreaked chestnut forecrown, plain throat, and dark markings in the tail help to separate it from other canasteros. Habitat is also a good clue, as it prefers tall bunchgrass and avoids heavily grazed areas. Song is a buzzy, accelerating trill similar to other canasteros. Its rising “sue-wheat” call is more useful for identification.