| The Seedsnipes- Avian Family Thinocoridae: Charadriiformes | ||||||
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Systematics |
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| Nine to eleven subspecies of seedsnipe are recognized based on plumage characters and morphology. |
| Rufous-bellied seedsnipe (Attagis gayi) |
| Rufous-bellied seedsnipes are true high altitude specialists. They may be found above 4000 m just below snow-line and may feed in boggy areas where succulent leaves and herbs may be present. They may also tolerate more arid habitats such as scree slopes and high alpine rocky grasslands with exposed ground cover. Little is known about this species due to the inaccessibility of much of its habitat, but populations appear to remain in high alpine areas year-round without undertaking significant altitudinal migrations. |
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| A. g. latreilli | ||
| A. g. simonsi | ||
| A. g. gayi | ||
| Refugio Arenales, Mendoza, Argentina |
| White-bellied seedsnipe (Attagis malouinus) |
| White-bellied seedsnipes are perhaps the most cold-tolerant thinocorids. They inhabit the southernmost Andes and descend from high altitude to lowlands in Tierra del Fuego and Southern Patagonia in the winter. Like Attagis gayi, the white-bellied seedsnipe is large in size; however, it has shorter tarsii, perhaps an adaptation to damp and exteme cold habitats. This species is rarely seen and remains poorly known. |
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| A. m. cheeputi | ||
| A. m. malouinus | ||
| Paso Garibaldi, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
| Grey-breasted seedsnipe (Thinocorus orbignyianus) |
| Grey-breasted seedsnipes inhabit valleys and slopes at intermediate altitudes (~2000 to 4300 m) where humidity from streams or snow-melt support cushion plants (Azorella sps.), succulents, herbs and flowers. This species may be found sympatrically with its congener, least seedsnipe, but the two species segregate by micro-habitat, least seedsnipe preferring more arid and grassy areas. Even in extremely dry environments such as north of the Atacama Desert in Chile (below, left), grey-breasted seedsnipes may be found adjacent to streams where moist vegetation is present. Females (below, left, bottom) lack the bluish-grey of the head and neck present in males. |
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| T. o. ingae | ||
| T. o. orbignyianus | ||
| Laguna Pozuelos, Jujuy, Argentina |
| Least seedsnipe (Thinocorus rumicivorus) |
| In part due to inhabiting lowland Patagonia and lower altitudes, as well as higher altitudes (e.g. T. r. bolivianus, to 4300 m), least seedsnipe is the most commonly seen thinocorid. The females may have the bold tie, collar, and belt seen in males, or may lack these patterns completely. However, females do not have the bold grey of males, although some males may have more diffuse markings and brownish plumage. Due to the cryptic plumage and habits of thinocorids, the bold tie of a male least seedsnipe, perched on a stone, may be the only way of detecting their presence in an arid landscape. T. rumicivorus breeding in Tierra del Fuego and overwintering in Northern Argentina and Uruguay (hatched green, below) constitute the only true 'long distance' migratory seedsnipe population. |
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| T. r. pallidus | ||
| T. r. cuneicauda | ||
| T. r. bolivianus | ||
| T. r. rumicivorus | Santa Cruz, Argentina |
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2005
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