Tamarugo Conebill (Conirostrum tamarugense)

Identification & Behavior: ~11.5 cm (4.5 in). The Tamarugo Conebill is overall gray with a white wing speculum that becomes a white band when the wing is expanded. It has a chestnut throat, upper breast, superciliary, and undertail coverts. Both sexes are similar but colors are more saturated in the male. It forages in pair or family groups in Polylepis woodlands and adjacent scrub. It is similar to the Cinereous Conebill but is distinguished by having chestnut throat and superciliary.

Status: The Tamarugo Conebill is an Austral migrant to the highlands of Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna. It is expected in the region during the month of March through September at elevations ranging between 3400-4100 . It also occurs in Ch.

Name in Spanish: Pico-de-Cono de los Tamarugales.

Sub-species: Tamarugo Conebill (Conirostrum tamarugense), A. W. Johnson and Millie, 1972.

Meaning of Name: Conirostrum: L. conus= cone and rostrum= bill. tamarugense: After a Tamarugo tree (Prosopis tamarugo), a drought-resistant native tree of Chile.

See more of the Family Thraupidae