Eye-ringed Thistletail Asthenes palpebralis

The Eye-ringed Thistletail is one of the most distinctive members of the genus Schizoeaca. Restricted to the elfin forest/upper cloud forest tree-line ecotone, this small but slender furnariid is readily identifiable by the prominent broad white eye-ring and its very long, deeply forked and thin ('worn') graduated tail. Fairly vocal, the species primarily forages in the understorey, but overall very little is known (quantitatively) about many aspects of its ecology. The species is considered to be fairly common at a small number of localities within the department of Junin, even where there is considerable habitat disturbance. Currently not considered threatened, surveys are needed to determine patterns of habitat occupancy and abundance throughout its highly restricted geographic range.

Eye-ringed Thistletail photo © Juan Chalco