Puna Plover
Anarhynchus alticola
Rather chunky, small plover of Andean salt flats, bogs, and lakeshores. Found singly or in small groups, sometimes associating loosely with other shorebirds such as migrant Baird’s Sandpipers. Plumage distinctive (no seasonal changes), with broad black diagonal mask across the face, a variable rusty cap (males average brighter than females), and only faint dusky breast bands. Juvenile lacks black and rusty head pattern and is rather drab overall, but no similar species in range (soon attains adultlike plumage).
Identification
The puna plover is 16.5 to 17.5 cm (6.5 to 6.9 in) long and weighs 41 to 49 g (1.4 to 1.7 oz). It has a short thick neck and its bill and legs are black. Adult males have a white face. They have a black bar on the forecrown and a black strip behind the eye that connects to black patches on the sides of the breast. They have a pale chestnut crown, hindneck, and breast band. Their upperparts are dull brown and their underparts white but for the breast band. Adult females are duller; their breast band can be grayish and the areas that are black on the male can be brownish. Juveniles are essentially brown above and white below, with little or none of the adults' black and chestnut.
Taxonomy
The puna plover has at times been considered conspecific with the two-banded plover (A. falklandicus) but now some treat the two as a superspecies. The puna plover is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Anarhynchus alticola
- Authority
- (Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1902)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Genus
- Anarhynchus
Range and habitat
The puna plover is found in the high Andes from Peru's Department of Junín south through western Bolivia into northern Chile as far as the Atacama Region and into northwestern Argentina to Catamarca Province. It inhabits the plateaus of the puna zone, where it is typically found in short grassland around both salt- and freshwater lakes. In elevation it mostly ranges between 3,000 and 4,500 m (9,800 and 14,800 ft) but is found as low as 2,400 m (7,900 ft) and as high as 5,000 m (16,000 ft). The puna plover is probably resident in most of its range but some move to lower elevations, even as far as the coast, during the austral winter.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
Almost nothing is known about the puna plover's foraging techniques or diet, but the latter does include small crustaceans. In the non-breeding season it can forage in loose flocks of up to about 30 birds.<p>The puna plover's egg season is mainly September and October though it can extend to January. The clutch of two to four eggs is laid on short matted grass. The incubation period and time to fledging are not known.<p>The puna plover is not highly vocal. What is thought to be its display song is "a repeated phrase of two notes followed by a gravelly trill, e.g. 'pit-pit-krrrrrt... pit-pit-krrrrrt...'." It also makes " a short, emphatic 'pit'" that may be rapidly repeated.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chestnut-throated Huet-huet
Pteroptochos castaneus
Fairly common but elusive; heard far more often than seen. Favors native temperate forest and adjacent shrubbery, especially bamboo. Feeds on the ground by scratching with its big feet in leaf litter, and runs very quickly and stealthily. Agitated birds can call loudly from middle level perches, cocking their tail. Nests in burrows, but can nest high up in tree hollows. Plumage distinctive, with pale eyering, deep rusty throat and breast, and blue gray back. No range overlap with Black-throated Huet-huet.
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
Bycanistes subcylindricus
Big, spectacular, black-and-white hornbill. The males have a large black-and-white bill, and females a much smaller all-dark one. In flight, shows a broad white patch at the back of the wing and a black tail with white sides. Found in thick forest and adjacent areas of lush woodland and cultivation. Usually in pairs or small groups. The loud calls are honking and yapping notes that are often given in a quick series. Similar to White-thighed and Brown-cheeked Hornbills, but has a black center to the tail, and the wingtips are black. Also has a darker bill and casque than those species.
Golden Tanager
Tangara arthus
Small tanager found in Andean foothills and subtropical zone from Venezuela to Bolivia. Mostly bright golden-yellow with isolated black ear patch, streaked back, and mostly black wings and tail. Some variation among populations, with northernmost birds showing a chestnut breast band and flanks. Sexes alike; young birds duller yellow. One of the most common tanagers in mixed flocks from around 900–2,200 m, in cloud forest, edges, and gardens.
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