Sharp-billed Canastero

A furnariid of 14 to 16 cm whose most striking feature is a very long, lanceolate, pointed tail that it holds erect or slightly drooping as it moves through the grass. The plumage is brown with darker streaks above and paler below. The throat has a distinctive reddish or cinnamon patch (sometimes with fine dark streaks), similar to that of the Short-billed Canastero. It inhabits the tall grasslands and dry tussock grasslands of the interior of the Iberá, away from the water. Harder to see than the woodland canasteros because of its habitat in the tall grass.

Behaviour

Terrestrial and discreet. It walks among the grasses looking for insects and seeds. The long tail sticks up above the grass as it walks. Its song is a series of high notes or a chirr. Easier to detect when the wind flattens the grass or in grazed grasslands that allow you to see farther.

How and when to see it

A visitor of the cold months (autumn and winter) in the tall grasslands and reed beds. Portal San Nicolás and the grassland areas of Mburucuyá are the best sites.

Where to see it in the Iberá

The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where sharp-billed canastero has confirmed presence:

Tours to see it

Verified providers operating at the gateways where sharp-billed canastero lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.

• Excursiones Yetapá (Eduardo Alegre)
  Excursiones por el Iberá con base en San Miguel, a cargo del guía habilitado Eduardo…★ 5.0
• La Tata en Yvera
  Excursiones y pesca deportiva en los Esteros del Iberá, con base en San Miguel, el…★ 4.9
• Aguas del Iberá - Pesca
  Salida de pesca deportiva por el Río Corriente con guías locales. Dorado, surubí y…★ 4.9
• Travesía Río Corriente - Kayak
  Travesías en kayak por el Río Corriente desde Chavarría. Recorridos por los meandros y…★ 4.9

Species profile

• Common nameSharp-billed Canastero
• Scientific nameAsthenes pyrrholeuca
• GroupBird
• StatusNative

Other species of the Iberá

• 🦜 Red-and-green Macaw
• 🦤 Greater Rhea
• 🐦 Strange-tailed Tyrant
• 🦢 Southern Screamer
• 🦩 Jabiru
• 🦃 Bare-faced Curassow
• 🐦 Giant Wood-Rail
• 🦩 Wood Stork