Life in the Central Massif

The Central Massif is the largest contiguous mountain range of Antarctica and one of the harshest environments of the world. Despite not having extremely high peaks (usually under 2000 meters [6500 ft]), this ecoregion is located near the South Pole, meaning that local fauna must endure 3-4 months of frost and dark every year. Temperatures can drop to -40°C (-40°F) in the highest plateaus and few herbs and shrubs were able to adapt to the freezing winds that hit every day this area. 

Tundra habitats are rarely used permanently by vertebrates, which annually migrate at lower altitudes during the harshest periods of the year.
Only one species of ducktail is known to be stantial in the Central Massif: the fintorostro (Crassornis alpinus). This bird has convergently evolved some physical traits typical of rostrids, like a robust beak and a solid body structure, which help it at chopping pieces of shrubs and hard fruits and at balancing in steep habitats.
They are gregarious species like their ancient relatives, the mountain drums, which were able to reach the Central Massif around 4 million years ago thanks to a volcanic hotspot, which temporarily connected the massif to the Transantarctic Mountains.
Fintirostri's plumage covers entirely their feet, in order to protect them from frost damage and increase friction on icy terrains. Juveniles are defended from predators by all members of the herd, not only by their parents; if threatened by terrestrial predators, adults form an impenetrable circle of muscles and dangerous beaks that can easily kill any geotter or wardrum of this ecoregion. 

Half of the chick mortality is caused by a dwarf biwolf called alpine sheardog (Longirostra rupestris): this swift predator is analogous to the arctic fox, preying on small-sized ducktails, ground tyrants and fruits. It's one of the smallest sheardogs, weighing just 5-7 kg  (11-15 lbs) depending on the sex (females are usually larger).
While most geotters move in lowland forests or hibernate in the bad season, this sheardog can withstand the cold dark winter by becoming scavenger. During this period, alpine sheardogs can often congregate near large carrion: large and robust females always feed first, feasting on fat-rich organs, while smaller males have to make do with less caloric parts.
Despite not hibernating, alpine sheardogs sharply reduce their activities when food is scarce, similar to badgers: they often bring surplus food inside their den (which is often an ex-ground tyrant tunnel) and close the entrance for days and increase nearly double its resting time in order to reduce energy intake.