Ovenbirds (Furnariidae)

Plain-breasted Earthcreeper (Upucerthia jelskii) - HBW 8, p. 247

French: Upucerthie de Jelski German: Fahlkehl-Erdhacker Spanish: Bandurrita de Jelski

Taxonomy: Coprotretis Jelskii Cabanis, 1874, Junín, Peru.
Closest to U. albigula and U. validirostris. Has been considered to form a superspecies with latter, and may be conspecific; considered together, the two exhibit a stepped cline in plumage coloration (increasingly rufescent to S) and perhaps a smooth cline in measurements, and songs sound very similar (although written descriptions differ somewhat); on the other hand, they appear to overlap in range in S Bolivia (Potosí); further study needed. Vocally distinctive race pallida possibly a separate species. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

saturata Carriker, 1933 - W Andes of C Peru (Ancash, Huánuco, NW Pasco).
jelskii (Cabanis, 1874) - Andes of C Peru (Lima, Junín, Huancavelica).
pallida Taczanowski, 1883 - Andes of S Peru (Ayacucho, Arequipa, Cuzco, Apurímac, Puno), N Chile (Tarapacá), W Bolivia (La Paz S to Potosí) and NW Argentina (Jujuy).