Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis

Chunky, generally scarce, rather grouselike bird of bleak moorland, bogs, and rocky slopes above timberline; in winter, sometimes descends to lowland Patagonian steppe, when it can be seen along roadsides. Found in pairs or small groups. Lacey “chainmail” pattern to upperparts is beautifully cryptic, and birds sometimes freeze when alarmed making them more difficult to see. No similar species in range; note the short stout bill and contrasting snowy-white belly. Flight strong and fast; flushes with loud shrieking choruses.

Rather local but sometimes numerous in the high Andes. Favors puna grasslands, stony plains with shrubby bushes, villages, and bogs. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species, and feeds mainly on the ground. Both sexes rather uniform bright greenish yellow overall (female averages duller) with a relatively stout, grayish bill. Greenish Yellow-Finch of usually lower elevations is duller (especially the female), with a smaller and more pointed bill. Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch sometimes occurs with Puna, but has grayish cheeks, back, and flanks.

Rarely found north of cold subantarctic waters; ranges south to pack-ice in summer. Adult has a gray head, thick black underwing margins like much commoner Black-browed Albatross. Immatures look similar to Black-browed overall, but told by black bill that soon develops yellow along top, and often with variable gray hood. Yellow bill edges narrower than the more lightly built Buller’s Albatross, which occurs to the north but is often mistaken for Gray-headed.