Rufous-vented Tapaculo
Scytalopus femoralis
A fairly common cloud forest tapaculo found in the eastern Andes of northern and central Peru. Adult is gray with brown bars on the lower underparts. Young birds are browner and extensively marked with buff bars and scales. Similar to Trilling Tapaculo and Junin Tapaculo, and identification should be based on range and voice. Rufous-vented Tapaculo gives sharp chips and low frog-like notes, either alone or in an accelerating series. Inhabits forest understory and usually tough to see.
Identification
The rufous-vented tapaculo is 12.5 cm (4.9 in) long. Males weigh 21 to 28 g (0.74 to 0.99 oz) and females 20 to 24 g (0.71 to 0.85 oz). Adults have a dark brown head and back with a dark brown wash and the rump is dark reddish brown. The throat, breast, and belly are a paler gray; flanks and vent area are cinnamon with broad dark bars. The juvenile is brown above with faint bars and yellow buff with dark bars below.
Taxonomy
The rufous-vented tapaculo has no subspecies. However, what are now the Santa Marta tapaculo (Scytalopus sanctaemartae), long-tailed tapaculo (S. micropterus), white-crowned tapaculo (S. atratus), and Bolivian tapaculo (S. bolivianus) were formerly treated as subspecies of it.
- Scientific name
- Scytalopus femoralis
- Authority
- (Tschudi, 1844)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Genus
- Scytalopus
Range and habitat
The rufous-vented tapaculo is found in the central Andes of Peru from southern Amazonas south to Junín. There it inhabits the undergrowth of both primary and secondary humid forest. It ranges between 1,000 and 2,050 m (3,280 and 6,730 ft) elevations, but is usually found above 1,600 m (5,200 ft) and in a few locations as high as 2,550 m (8,370 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
No information has been published about the rufous-vented tapaculo's feeding or breeding phenologies. Its song is a single descending note repeated for several minutes [1].
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Dusky Fulvetta
Schoeniparus brunneus
A small dark brown bird of the shaded understory and forest floor, found hilly forests. Brown overall; gray face is marked with a thin, curving black eyebrow and a weaker black moustachial stripe, though these marks are often hard to discern in the darkness of the thick growth in which it likes to forage. Song is a short but melodic warble; various calls, including a low churring note and a quick “whee-chuck.”
Dark-necked Tailorbird
Orthotomus atrogularis
A brightly-colored tailorbird of lowland tropical forests, forest edges, and gardens. Long-billed with olive upperparts, pale underparts, and a rufous crown. Dark neck patch is only present in males and is unique if seen well but is sometimes concealed and difficult to see. Can be a shy species, staying deep within tangled vegetation; listen for its song, often given in duets, a series of trilled phrases. Also gives a high-pitched nasal “daydayday.” Common Tailorbird is similar but has a less extensive rufous crown and lacks yellow vent and black neck patch.
Przevalski's Nuthatch
Sitta przewalskii
Adorable inhabitant of subalpine coniferous and mixed forests. Plain white face, extended black cap, and orange underparts are distinctive within its range. Mainly forages along trunks but can often be seen perched out on an exposed branch or treetop. Usually found in pairs or small groups. Follows other species in mixed species feeding flocks. Gives long extended bleats and single crisp notes.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.