Order: Passeriformes
Family: Furnariidae
The Buff-winged Cinclodes is a robust, earth-toned bird native to southern South America, especially Patagonia. Recognizable by its buffy wing patches and slightly decurved bill, it is often seen walking briskly along riverbanks, grasslands, and rocky shores. This species is highly adaptable, inhabiting a wide range of open habitats from coastal areas to high mountains. Its loud, melodious song is a familiar sound in the windswept landscapes of Patagonia. The Buff-winged Cinclodes is also notable for its close association with human-altered environments, frequently foraging near settlements and following livestock. Its nest is typically built in burrows or crevices, sometimes using man-made structures. Hardy and resourceful, it remains active even in harsh weather, making it a characteristic bird of the southern cone.
Habitat
Open areas including grasslands, riverbanks, rocky shores, and high Andean slopes across Patagonia and southern South America.
Foraging
Feeds mainly on insects and small invertebrates, probing soil, mud, and crevices, often near water or livestock.
