Creamy-rumped Miner Geositta isabellina Scientific name definitions

The Creamy-rumped Miner is an uncommonly observed furnariid that lives on dry, high altitude slopes in Andean Chile and Argentina. The stark and remote terrain where these birds reside has certainly limited ornithological study of the species. Difficult to see except in when it flies, the Creamy-rumped Miner displays a high-contrast tail pattern set against a dull brown body and rufous flight feathers. This pattern suits both this miner's terrestrial foraging habits and its barren habitat. Creamy-rumped Miners build their nests in holes in the ground and proclaim their ringing, repetitive territorial songs from low boulders.

17·5–18·5 cm; 38–48 g. Large miner with relatively long decurved bill  , no conspicuous wing patch. Has pale super­cilium ; uniform pale sandy buff above , ­contrasting creamy-white rump and uppertail-coverts; tail  buff, central rectrices and broad subterminal band blackish; throat  whitish, breast and belly light ochraceous cream to greyish-cream; iris brown; bill blackish, base of lower mandible yellowish-horn; tarsus and toes blue-grey. Sexes alike. Juvenile has pale spots on crown.

Andes of C Chile (Atacama S to Talca) and extreme WC Argentina (Catamarca, San Juan, Mendoza); winters N to Antofagasta.

Puna grassland; in puna on barren slopes of high Andes, especially near rocky outcrops, at 3000–5000 m; often lower in non-breeding season.

Arthropods , gleaned from ground and rocks. Feeds  singly or in pairs.

Song  loud, strident trill of 3–12 notes, given in display-flight or from prominent perch on rock.

Season presumably during austral summer; young in Feb and Mar in Chile. Presumably monogamous. Nest at end of tunnel excavated in sloping ground. Clutch 3 eggs.