Loja Tapaculo
Scytalopus androstictus
Small, mouse-like bird found in the high Andes of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Male is mostly dark gray; female has brown upperparts and gray underparts. Both sexes have very faint barring on lower underparts and a few white feathers on the shoulder. The latter feature is shared by no other tapaculo in range, but can be quite inconspicuous in the field, so voice is usually the best way to confirm the ID. Typical song is a long, rattling trill lasting ten seconds or more; also gives short bursts repeated every few seconds. Inhabits high elevation forest and scrub near and above tree line. Usually stays low and can be hard to see. Formerly considered a subspecies of Paramo Tapaculo.
Identification
The Loja tapaculo is approximately 10.5 cm (4.1 in) long. Males weigh 13.9 to 17.9 g (0.49 to 0.63 oz) and females 13.4 to 16 g (0.47 to 0.56 oz). Males are very dark gray above and medium to dark gray on most of the underside. The flanks and vent area are tawny to dark brown with darker barring. Most males also have white primary coverts that show as a patch when the wing is folded. The female is brown above and pale to medium gray on most of the underside. Like the male it has brownish flanks and vent area. The juveniles are highly variable, but generally have shades of brown and barring above and shades of gray and buff below with or without barring.
Taxonomy
The taxonomy of the Loja tapaculo is complicated. Scytalopus canus (now the paramillo tapaculo) and S. opacus (now the paramo tapaculo) were originally thought to be subspecies of either S. magellanicus (Magellanic tapaculo) or S. unicolor (unicolor tapaculo). Both were eventually reclassified as species, and what is now the Loja tapaculo was considered a subspecies of paramo tapaculo. A detailed study of these several related taxa found significant vocal, genetic, and morphological differences among them. Based on these data, the South American Classification Committee of the AOS elevated S. opacus androstictus to species status in July 2020. The International Ornithological Congress (IOC) followed suit in January 2021 and the Clements taxonomy in August 2021.
- Scientific name
- Scytalopus androstictus
- Authority
- Krabbe & Cadena, 2010
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Genus
- Scytalopus
Range and habitat
The Loja tapaculo has a very limited range on the east slope of the Andes in Zamora-Chinchipe Province of Ecuador and the northern part of Peru's Department of Cajamarca. It generally inhabits shrub and scrublands at and above treeline but can also be found in Polylepis woodland and high elevation humid forest. Its elevation range is typically between 2,600 and 3,300 m (8,500 and 10,800 ft). It is believed to be sedentary.
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Brahminy Kite
Haliastur indus
A medium-sized raptor with a rounded tail unlike other kites. Adults are unmistakable with a white head and breast contrasting with otherwise brick brown plumage. Juveniles are a darker brownish-black with a paler head and prominent white patches under the wings. Usually associated with both inland and coastal wetlands in tropical Asia, but it is largely restricted to coastal wetlands in Australia where it is alternately known as “Red-backed Sea Eagle.” Call is a distinctive nasal, drawn out, “Kyeeerrh.”
Rufous Bristlebird
Dasyornis broadbenti
A skulking red-brown bird with a long tail that has a rough uneven tip. Upperparts rich reddish brown, especially wings and crown, underparts gray-brown with speckling. Obvious pale eyering, lores, and moustachial marks. Feeds on the ground in dense coastal shrubland and heathland, runs rapidly with head down. Calls include a gentle series of repeated thin clear "chit" notes followed by a slurred whistled phrase.
Australian Painted-Snipe
Rostratula australis
Cryptic wader with long, slightly decurved greenish-yellow bill. Bright white underparts, dark brown head and neck, and streaked olive upperparts, with distinctive curved white line extending from breast through the back. Nomadic, with unpredictable movements, so may turn up in a wide variety of wetland habitats, typically shallow wetlands with surrounding vegetation. Most likely to be observed in early morning, in late evening, or at night.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.