Neblina Tapaculo (Scytalopus altirostris)

Identification & Behavior: ~11.5 cm (4.5 in). The Neblina Tapaculo is mouse gray with a variable amount of rufous with dusky barring on the flanks, vent, and rump.  The female is similar but has more rufous.  It has pale superciliary but this varies among individuals. It forages on or near the ground in humid montane forests, humid montane scrub interspersed with bunch grass, and Polylepis woodlands.  Due to their secretive habits, extreme similarity among species and the generally low light in the places they inhabit, positive identification of a tapaculo in the field is often impossible. However, their loud and stereotyped songs and calls are given frequently and constitute the safest way to identify them to the species level. It is very similar to the Puna Tapaculo but their ranges do not overlap.

Status: Endemic. The Neblina Tapaculo is uncommon in humid montane woodlands and scrub, as well as shrubbery mixed with bunch grass. It is known to range at elevations between 2900-3700 m.

Name in Spanish: Tapaculo de Neblina.

Sub-species: Neblina Tapaculo (Scytalopus altirostris), J. T. Zimmer, 1939.

Meaning of Name: Scytalopus: Gr. skutale or skutalon= stick, cudgel and pous, podos= foot. altirostris: L. altus= high, great and rostris, rostrum= billed, beak.

Go to the Family Rhinocryptidae