Unicolored Tapaculo (Scytalopus unicolor)

Identification & Behavior: ~12 cm (4.7 in). The adult Unicolored Tapaculo is dark gray with some rufous on the rump, vent, and sides of the rump.  The female may show more rufous and dusky fine barring on the rump, vent and rump. The juvenile is dusky with rufous. As with other tapaculos it often cocks the tail.  The Unicolored Tapaculo forages in the understory of humid montane forest and adjacent humid patches of scrub. Due to their secretive habits, extreme similarity among species and the generally low light in the places they inhabit, positive identification in the field is often impossible. However, the Unicolored Tapaculo is the only tapaculo in its range.

Status: Endemic. The Unicolored Tapaculo is fairly common in humid montane forest and in relatively dry habitats on the east side of the Marañon Valley, in parts of Cajamarca and Ancash, at elevations ranging between 2400-3400 m.

Name in Spanish: Tapaculo Unicolor.

Sub-species: Unicolored Tapaculo (Scytalopus unicolor), Salvin, 1895.

Meaning of Name: Scytalopus: Gr. skutale or skutalon= stick, cudgel and pous, podos= foot. unicolor: L. unicolor, unicoloris= plain, uniform, of one colour.

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