From Opus

Sturnella loyca

Photo by Sussex bird man
Location: Peninsula Valdes, Argentina

[edit] Identification

Length 24.0-25.5 cm, wingspan 11.4-13.1 cm, weight 67-131 g. Female markedly smaller, with apparently no overlap in wing length an little in tail length. Overall heavily streaked grey-brown with strong white supercillium (red nearest bill). Strong straight grey sharp bill. Bright red breast. White underwing.

[edit] Distribution

Southern Chile, southern Argentina, and the Falkland Islands.

[edit] Taxonomy

Four races described in South America; falklandica in the Falklands is the largest, with the longest bill.

[edit] Habitat

Coastal areas, meadow land and Tussac grass, often with rocks.

[edit] Behaviour

Nests are made by the female and are woven from grass, with an entrance tunnel, and are hidden amongst ground vegetation or gorse. Sub-species falklandica - female builds a nest of dry grass, hidden on ground or in Tussac grass.

Breeding: Late Aug--late Nov, 2-4 blue-white eggs, blotched purple and black are laid and incubated by the female for about 14 days. Both parents feed young and probably raise two broods per season.

Diet includes worms, grubs, beetles, caterpillars and marine invertebrates taken from the shore.

[edit] External Links