Rusty-vented Canastero (Asthenes dorbignyi) [XC15961]
by Niels Krabbe from Tucum\u00e1n: Quilmes road, Argentina (chatters)
Rusty-vented Canastero (Asthenes dorbignyi) [XC354590]
by Niels Krabbe from Middle Cerro Tunari, Cochabamba dept., Bolivia (song)
Subspecies
In Collar et al. (1992, 1994), Asthenes dorbignyi (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) was split into Creamy-breasted Canastero (Asthenes dorbignyi), Huancavelica Canastero (Asthenes huancavelicae) (including Asthenes usheri, a form previously considered specifically distinct in Collar and Andrew 1988) and Dark-winged Canastero (Asthenes arequipae) following Fjeldsĺ and Schulenberg (unpublished manuscript). However, evidence for the separate status of Huancavelica Canastero (Asthenes huancavelicae) and Dark-winged Canastero (Asthenes arequipae) was considered insufficient for them to be recognised by Remsen (2003) and Remsen et al. (2005), and thus dorbignyi, huancavelicae and arequipae have subsequently been lumped back into Creamy-breasted Canastero (Asthenes dorbignyi) following Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993).
Forms a species group, and possibly a superspecies, with Berlepsch's Canastero (Asthenes berlepschi), also including probably Steinbach's Canastero (Pseudasthenes steinbachi) and Short-billed Canastero (Asthenes baeri) and possibly Patagonian Canastero (Pseudasthenes patagonica). May be conspecific with Berlepsch's Canastero (Asthenes berlepschi), and considered by some to be conspecific with Steinbach's Canastero (Pseudasthenes steinbachi). In some aspects of plumage, tail structure, behaviour, voice and nest structure, all are more similar to Phacellodomus (especially Streak-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticeps)) and possibly better placed in that genus. Subspecies huancavelicae and usheri, with distinctive vocal differences from others, sometimes treated as one or two separate species. Browner-backed, paler-faced populations from Chile and western Bolivia are probably intergrades between arequipae and either consobrina or nominate. In addition, two highly distinctive populations in central Peru (Ancash, Lima, Huánuco and Ayacucho) represent undescribed subspecies or possibly separate species. Present taxonomic treatment traditional but considered unsatisfactory. A formal revision is required.
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
huancavelicae (Reichenbach, 1853) - Andes of western and south-central Peru (locally in Ancash, also Huancavelica and Ayacucho). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Huancavelica Canastero (Asthenes huancavelicae).
usheri Morrison, 1947 - Andes of south-central Peru (Apurímac). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, White-tailed Canastero (Asthenes usheri).
arequipae (P. L. Sclater and Salvin, 1869) - South-western Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Dark-winged Canastero (Asthenes arequipae).
consobrina Hellmayr, 1925 - Andes of south-western Bolivia (south-eastern La Paz, north-eastern Oruro, northern Potosí).
dorbignyi (Reichenbach, 1853) - Andes of central and southern Bolivia (Cochabamba south to eastern Potosí and Tarija) and north-western Argentina (Jujuy south to Mendoza).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet