Blackish Cinclodes
Cinclodes antarcticus antarcticus
Local Name: Tussock-bird
Breeding Range: Falkland Islands
Length: 18cm.
Falklands Population: ~10,000 breeding pairs
World Population: as above
(subspecies restricted to Falklands)
The subspecies Cinclodes antarcticus antarcticus
is restricted to the Falklands, where it is fairly abundant.
The main limitation to its distribution
is its inability to thrive in the presence of introduced cats and
rats. This effectively banishes it from East and West Falkland,
and most of the larger islands.
On rat-free islands it is abundant along
rocky or sandy beaches, and is incredibly tame. Birds often follow
humans, and will even perch on the foot of somebody who sits still.
Small cup-shaped nests of grass are made
under dense vegetation, with 1 to 3 eggs being laid in October.
Eggs hatch after 2 weeks, and chicks fledge 2 weeks later. A second
brood in December is common.
Adults feed mainly on invertebrates amongst
rotting kelp or tussac grass, but they also take scraps and excreta
from seals and seabirds.
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Blackish
Cinclodes
Cinclodes antarcticus
antarcticus
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Adopt and name your penguin,
and we will send you reports and photos of your penguin's progress. We
will even send you a map to show you exactly where your penguin lives,
in case you ever want to visit. (Visitors are welcome).
Learn
More
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The Falklands Regime by Mike Bingham
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