Ancash Tapaculo
Scytalopus affinis
Small tapaculo found only at very high elevations in the western Andes of northern Peru. Plumage is gray with brown rear parts and dark barring on belly and tail. Female is browner than male, and young birds have more extensive barring. Similar to several other tapaculos, and best identified by range, habitat, and voice. Inhabits scrubby treeline woodland and adjacent grasslands. Song is a very long series of short, buzzy notes.
Identification
The male Ancash tapaculo's head and upper back are gray and the rest of the upper parts dark brown. The underparts are pale gray, and the flanks and vent are buffy with distinct bars. The female is similar but the upper parts are browner. The juvenile's head and upper back are brownish gray and the rest of the upper parts olive brown; all are barred. The underparts are gray, and the flanks and vent are olive brown with dusky bars.
Taxonomy
The Ancash tapaculo was originally described as Scytalopus magellanicus affinis, a subspecies of Magellanic tapaculo. Following a study published in 1997, it was elevated to species rank because of differences in their vocalizations.
- Scientific name
- Scytalopus affinis
- Authority
- Zimmer, JT, 1939
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Genus
- Scytalopus
Range and habitat
The Ancash tapaculo was described from the Department of Ancash, Peru. Since then it has been recorded in the adjoining departments of La Libertad, Huánuco, and Lima. It is found at elevations of 3,000 to 4,600 m (9,800 to 15,100 ft).<p>It inhabits tussocky high elevation grassland and rocky areas with grass. It is often found in or near Polylepis woodland or Gynoxys shrubs.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Little is known about the Ancash tapaculo's diet and foraging phenology, though the species is assumed to be insectivorous.<p>There is also little known about the Ancash tapaculo's breeding behavior. Two nests were balls of grass and moss with a side entrance. Eggs and nestlings have been reported in February.<p>The Ancash tapaculo's song is a "churr" note repeated for 30 or more seconds [1]. The scold call is also a "churr", but longer and dryer than those of the song [2].
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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