Breeds in Tierra del Fuego and adjacent southern Patagonia; migrates north in winter. Favors open shrub steppe, grassy areas, and gravel roadsides. Often in pairs, walking with waddling gait and pumping its tail like most miners; also forms flocks in migration and winter. Bill is not especially short despite the name. Best identified in flight by rather dull wings (no bright rusty patches) and a contrasting whitish rump patch; also note long wingtips on perched birds (wingtips are shorter on the very similar Common Miner).