White-chinned Thistletail

The White-chinned Thistletail occurs in high-elevation habitats along the eastern slope of the Ecuadorian Andes, typically between 3,000 and 4,200 meters, where it inhabits páramo grasslands, shrubby slopes, and edges of elfin forest. It is generally uncommon and localized, often seen foraging low in dense vegetation for insects, with its long tail and cryptic plumage blending into the windswept terrain. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population across its restricted Andean range, though it may be vulnerable to habitat degradation from grazing and fire. Natural history observations highlight its terrestrial habits, scratchy vocalizations, and bulky nests built in grass tussocks or shrubs, with breeding timed to the rainy season.