Diademed Tapaculo
Scytalopus schulenbergi
Tiny gray bird with a short, stubby tail. Pale gray forehead and eyebrow form its namesake crown-like pattern, and distinguish the species from similar tapaculos; however, this gray pattern can be reduced and hard to see in females. Found in dense mossy undergrowth in elfin forest near the treeline. Extremely shy and heard far more often than seen; listen for its song, a loud, accelerating series of nasal complaining notes.
Identification
The diademed tapaculo is 10 cm (3.9 in) long; two males weighed 15.2 and 17 g (0.54 and 0.60 oz). The species gets its name from the males' silvery forecrown and supercilium set off by a black "mask" below the supercilium. The male's upper parts are dark gray washed with brown, and it has an orange red rump with dusky bars. It is gray below, lighter to darker front to rear. The flanks and vent, like the rump, are orange red with dusky bars. The female is similar but the "diadem" is smaller and duller and the upper parts' brown wash is darker. The juvenile is a golden brown that is lighter on the underside and has bars and spots throughout.
Taxonomy
The diademed tapaculo has at various times been thought to be closely related to puna tapaculo (Scytalopus simonsi), Vilcabamba tapaculo (S. urubambae), and silvery-fronted tapaculo (S. argentifrons), though the last appears the least likely.
- Scientific name
- Scytalopus schulenbergi
- Authority
- Whitney, 1994
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Genus
- Scytalopus
Range and habitat
The diademed tapaculo's range extends from the Cordillera Vilcanota in Peru's Department of Cuzco southeast to the Cochabamba Department of Bolivia. It is found in bamboo and other dense undergrowth of humid montane forest near tree line, at elevations of 2,800 to 3,400 m (9,200 to 11,200 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The diademed tapaculo forages on and near the ground for insects. It moves quickly while gleaning from moss and vegetation and probing mossy branches.<p>The diademed tapaculo is thought to breed between September and January. The one nest that has been described was a ball of moss and lichens.<p>The diademed tapaculo's song is a trill of varying intensity, pitch, and pace lasting up to 15 seconds [1]. Its scold call is a series of soft notes that lasts about a second [2].
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Jambu Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus jambu
The plum-red face and pink “blush” on the white chest of the cartoonish-looking male are unique. Plainer female and juvenile can be difficult to separate from female Black-naped Fruit Dove; look out for Jambu’s bright white eye-ring and orange bill. Generally uncommon and nomadic; roams widely across lowland and foothill forests, where it seeks out fruiting trees. Forages quietly in the canopy, typically singly or in pairs.
Papuan Thornbill
Acanthiza murina
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Fatu Hiva Monarch
Pomarea whitneyi
A distinctive large glossy-black flycatcher with a pale bluish-ivory bill. Bushy feathers give an eyebrowed appearance. Dependent on native moist forest between 50 and 700 meters of elevation. Common call is said to be a “kik-kik-kik.”
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