Birding in Peru III: Royal Cinclodes
Cinclodes, a genus of passerine birds in the family Furnariidae, are typically found in South America, particularly in high-altitude regions of the Andes.
Elegant and Effective Camouflage
Cinclodes’ plumage is typically dull, providing effective camouflage against rocks and open terrain. The colors are usually brown or gray, with the characteristic stripe over the eye and corner markings on the tail. Their pointed, slightly downcurved bills are well-suited for foraging in the moss, leaf litter, decayed wood, and under the rocks in search of small invertebrates.
Species and Conservation Status
There are 15 extant species of cinclodes, of which two are near-threatened and two are critically endangered.
The Royal Cinclodes: Critically Endangered in Its Patchy Habitat
The Royal Cinclodes was once thought to be confined to small patches of Polylepsis woodland and mountain shrub, mainly at altitudes of 3,500–4,800 meters in southeastern Peru (Cusco, Apurimac, Puno, Ayacucho, and Junin) and Bolivia (La Paz). However, it has since been recorded in Gynoxis woodland in JunĂn, as well as on moss-covered boulders in the Huaytapallana Conservation Area in JunĂn, which has limited tree coverage.
Threats to Survival of Royal Cinclodes
Habitat destruction remains a significant threat to the species' survival. In the Cusco region, it is estimated that the Royal Cinclodes' natural habitat has shrunk so significantly in the past 40 years that it now occupies only a small percentage of its original coverage potential.Â
In particular, two of the most destructive behaviors include the use of uncontrolled fire and heavy grazing, which prevent Polylepsis from regenerating, leading to degradation and the loss of understory moss cover. Another destructive behavior is the cutting of Polylepsis wood for firewood.Â
The current population of the Royal Cinclodes across Peru and Bolivia is estimated to be fewer than 300 individuals.
