Other Scientific Names
Ochetorhynchus certhioides [BirdLife International (2004)], Ochetorhynchus certhioides [Stotz et al. (1996)], Upucerthia certhioides [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Upucerthia certhioides [BirdLife International (2008)]
Family
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds)
Size
17 cm
First Described (Guide)
(D'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1838)
Habitat
Subtropical and tropical lowland dry shrubland, moist savanna. From sea-level - 1,800 m.
Chaco Earthcreeper (Tarphonomus certhioides) [XC48915]
by Bernabe Lopez-Lanus from Quebrada San Vicente, San Luis, Argentina (call)
Chaco Earthcreeper (Tarphonomus certhioides) [XC150575]
by Dan Lane from Patagones, Buenos Aires, Bolivia (song)
Subspecies
Sometimes placed in a separate genus Ochetorhynchus along with Straight-billed Earthcreeper (Ochetorhynchus ruficaudus) and Bolivian Earthcreeper (Tarphonomus harterti). Closest to Bolivian Earthcreeper (Tarphonomus harterti), with which may form a superspecies, or the two may be conspecific. Differs from other congeners for which relevant data available in having pale blue eggs (not white) and more flexible nest-site placement. Racial variation may be partly or entirely clinal, and one or more of the subspecies possibly not tenable. A quantitative study of plumage coloration is required.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
estebani (Wetmore & Peters, JL, 1949) - Extreme south-central Bolivia (Santa Cruz), northern Argentina (Jujuy and Catamarca east to Chaco and south to Córdoba) and western Paraguay.
luscinia (Burmeister, 1860) - Western Argentina (San Juan, La Rioja and western Córdoba south to Mendoza and northern San Luis).
certhioides (D'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1838) - North-eastern Argentina (eastern Formosa and central Corrientes south to eastern Río Negro and south-western Buenos Aires).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet