Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as rare to uncommon (del Hoyo et al. 2003). Although settlement and cattle-grazing have altered habitat in small parts of its range, extensive tracts of suitable habitat (some occurring within protected areas) still remain and the population is currently considered to be stable (Chebez et al. 1998).
Trend justification
Although settlement and cattle-grazing have altered habitat in small parts of its range, extensive tracts of suitable habitat (some occurring within protected areas) still remain and the population is currently considered to be stable (Chebez et al. 1998).
This species occurs in Salta, Catamarca, Tucumán, La Rioja, San Juan, San Luis, Mendoza and Neuquén, central-west Argentina (Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990, Parker et al. 1996, M. Babarskas verbally 1998).
The species inhabits well developed, semi-arid temperate hillside scrub from 650-3,000 m. Its desert-scrub habitat is characterised by plants such as Larrea species, Cercidium praecox, Geoffroea decorticans and Trichocereus terscheckii (M. Babarskas verbally 1998, Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990).
Settlement and agricultural conversion have altered habitat in small parts of the species range, and grazing by cattle and goats may pose some threat (Stattersfield et al. 1998). However, extensive tracts of suitable habitat remain unaffected and the species occurs in several protected areas (M. Babarskas verbally 1998, Chebez et al. 1998).
16 cm. A subtly coloured furnariid of bushy country. Head and back greyish-brown becoming browner on lower back. Mantle more rufous grading to rufous upertail-coverts. Underparts pale greyish-buff with rufous-cinnamon vent. Chestnut gular patch, hard to see. Tail dusky with pale rufous outer pair of rectrices and edging at the base of other feathers. Broad rufous edgings on wings. Faint pale supercilium. Similar spp. Rusty-vented Canastero A. dorbignyi is more contrasting, with more black in tail, and richer underparts. Voice A slow descending tril, but most regularly a duble nasal keinj call. Hints Skulks within low shrubs and on the ground. Best located by voice.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Steinbach's Canastero Pseudasthenes steinbachi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/steinbachs-canastero-pseudasthenes-steinbachi on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.