Cachudito

Description:

Length: 11 cms. Black head. Front, ear area and nape with white longitudinal lines. Gray back slightly olivaceous. Chest and abdomen whitened with black longitudinal lines. Abdomen sometimes with yellowish tint. Blackish wings and tail. External beard of clear lateral rectrices. Black peak. Black paws. White Iris. FOOD: Small insects; Also seeds. REPRODUCTION: August to January. Usually two postures. Nest type cup, made of lichens, root fibers and grass leaves, very well lined with feathers, building it in shrubs or other plants. Eggs, usually 3 per clutch, are yellowish-cream colored; Dimensions of 15 x 12 mm. App.

Habitat:

Valleys and semiarid slopes of the "precordillera". Forest areas. In winter it can be seen in gardens of cities of the central zone. Andes from Chile and SO from Argentina to Tierra del Fuego. With quick and agile movements, he traverses the barks of trees and shrubs or, lowers to the ground in search of his food. It is usually found in small flocks, separating for brief periods during the nesting season.

Notes:

It is one of the smallest birds of Chile. Features are their long black feathers on the head, bent forward similar to some "Cachitos"