Name: Blackish Cinclodes, Tussac-bird, Tussock-bird (Cinclodes antarcticus)
Length: 18 to 23 cm.
Location: Falklands, southern tip of South America.
Conservation status: Near Threatened.
Diet: Mainly small invertebrates, also carrion and food scraps from humans and other animals.
Appearance: Uniform dark brown plumage. Faint reddish-brown stripe on wings. Slightly paler stripe above eyes. Long dark bill with slight downward curve, pale yellow spot at the base.
How do Blackish Cinclodes feed?
For the most part, Blackish Cinclodes forage amongst beached seaweed found along shorelines. They will, however, pick at carrion and the remains of food left by animals and humans in other nearby locations.
Are Blackish Cinclodes social?
Blackish Cinclodes are somewhat notorious for being very tame when near humans.
What are Blackish Cinclodes birthing rituals like?
The Blackish Cinclodes breeding season runs from September through to December. Nests are cup-shaped, placed amongst rocks, grass clumps, bigger holes, or in buildings. They are constructed of grass and lined with feathers. 1 to 3 white eggs with red spots are laid, often 2 broods per breeding season. The eggs are incubated for a period of 2 weeks. After hatching, the chicks fledge after an additional 2 weeks.
How long do Blackish Cinclodes live?
Blackish Cinclodes in general live about 3 years in the wild.
How many Blackish Cinclodes are there today?
There are an estimated 10,000 breeding pairs of Blackish Cinclodes found on the Falkland Islands.
Do Blackish Cinclodes have any natural predators?
Blackish Cinclodes are prey for rats and cats.
7 Terrific Blackish Cinclodes Facts
- Blackish Cinclodes are quite tame and are known to approach humans.
- Blackish Cinclodes have been preyed upon by rats and cats on the mainland and the islands of the Falklands that have had those predators introduced by man. They are therefore much scarcer in those locations versus the healthier populations found on the outer Falkland islands that remain cat and rat-free.
- There are two recognized subspecies of Blackish Cinclodes: Cinclodes antarcticus antarcticus and Cinclodes antarcticus maculirostris, the latter being the slightly larger of the two.
- Blackish Cinclodes are a bit of an oddity in that they are one of the only examples of passerines that stay along coasts.
- If you’re looking to spot some Blackish Cinclodes, they are quite often found in close proximity to seal and sea-lion haul-out locations.
- One reason given for Blackish Cinclodes’ friendliness towards humans may be that human feet turn up tasty ground-hugging insects and grubs.
- Blackish Cinclodes aren’t shy about going after food. They have been spotted dipping down to drink blood from the wounds of angry sea lions and seals.