Zimmer's Tapaculo
Scytalopus zimmeri
Distinctive tapaculo of humid montane forest adjacent to treeline and Polylepis forest in the high Andes in NW Argentina and S Bolivia. Striking white throat distinctive from other tapaculos except White-browed, from which it differs by voice and gray (not brown) hind crown. Generally observed in the open more than other tapaculos, often perching on rocks and ground-level vegetation. Song a quick series two dry notes spaced out, then 3-4 quick dry notes: “pik-pik pr-tr-tr”.
Identification
Zimmer's tapaculo is 10.5 cm (4.1 in) long. Males weigh 17.6 to 19.9 g (0.62 to 0.70 oz) and one female weighed 15.9 g (0.56 oz). The adult's most striking feature is its white supercilium, throat, and upper breast. The rest of the head, the back, and the wings are gray with a brown wash on the back. The lower breast and belly are also gray. Its flanks and vent are olive-brown and have dusky bars. The juvenile's supercilium is faint buff, its upper parts olive-brown with dusky bars, its breast and upper belly gray, and the flanks and lower belly are buff with dusky bars.
Taxonomy
Zimmer's tapaculo has at times been considered a subspecies of Magellanic tapaculo (Scytalopus magellanicus). It and white-browed tapaculo (S. superciliaris) form a superspecies. Its name commemorates American ornithologist John Todd Zimmer.
- Scientific name
- Scytalopus zimmeri
- Authority
- Bond, J & Meyer de Schauensee, 1940
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Genus
- Scytalopus
Range and habitat
Zimmer's tapaculo is found in southern Bolivia's Chuquisaca and Tarija departments and Argentina's Jujuy and Salta provinces. It ranges the Andean slopes from 1,700 to 3,200 m (5,600 to 10,500 ft) elevation. It inhabits several vegetative communities including seasonally humid Alnus, Podocarpus, and Polylepis woodlands where it frequents ravines and other shady areas, and also open wet rocky slopes with bunch grass and shrubs.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Zimmer's tapaculo forages on and near the ground, often staying hidden among roots, rocks, and ferns. Its diet is not well known but it appears to favor seeds.<p>Both members of a Zimmer's tapaculo pair were observed tending nestlings in October. The nest was found in a crevice of an earth and stone bank.<p>The song of Zimmer's tapaculo is a series three to five burry notes repeated at intervals, often for many minutes [1]. Its call is described as one or two "quick" notes repeated at intervals [2].
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Mountain Yellow-Warbler
Iduna similis
Medium-sized, long-tailed, long-billed warbler. The back is olive-green and the underparts yellow. Found in montane habitats including bamboo, moist scrub, and forest edge. An active and energetic bird of the undergrowth. The distinctive song is an exuberant mix of downslurred and upslurred whistles and low rattles. Similar to African Yellow-Warbler, but in the areas where they overlap, mostly found at higher elevations, and distinguished by the olive-green, not black cap.
White-faced Nunbird
Hapaloptila castanea
Rare and elusive denizen of Andean cloud forest; found at higher elevations than any other puffbird. Distinctive; note especially the stout, black bill bordered by white feathers, chestnut underparts, and red eye. Found inside forest, often near exposed earthen banks, which they favor as nesting sites. Remains motionless for extended periods before suddenly sallying out to catch an insect or other small animal. Typical song is a series of evenly spaced, mellow whistles that can be imitated.
Tanna Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus tannensis
A relatively large fruit dove. Deep pine green in color, with bright yellow spots in the wing and a yellow-dusted head. Often found in pairs, but can be found in large groups at fruiting trees. Larger than Red-bellied Fruit Dove, and female has yellow wing spots. Most common call is a series of low, rising “woot” calls heard regularly throughout the species’ range.
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