Paramo Tapaculo
Scytalopus opacus
Small, mouse-like bird found at very high elevations in the Andes. Inhabits scrub and edge of elfin forest. Male is mostly dark gray; female has brown upperparts and gray underparts. Both sexes have very faint barring on lower underparts. Similar to several other species of tapaculos, and best identified by range, elevation, habitat, and voice. Song is a dry, cicada-like rattle that usually lasts two to six seconds, and then repeated again after a pause. Skulks in dense vegetation, usually close to the ground.
Identification
The Paramo tapaculo resembles other Scytalopus tapaculos. It 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. 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 Paramo tapaculo was originally described as a subspecies of Magellanic tapaculo (Scytalopus magellanicus) and then as a subspecies of paramillo tapaculo (S. canus). Krabbe and Cadena (2010) showed that they have very different voices. Based on that data, The South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithologists' Union (now the American Ornithological Society, AOS) elevated it to species rank and the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) and Clements taxonomy followed suit.<p>The Paramo tapaculo is monophyletic. The former subspecies S. o. androstictus was elevated by the SACC to species status as the Loja tapaculo in July 2020 and by the IOC in January 2021.
- Scientific name
- Scytalopus opacus
- Authority
- Zimmer, JT, 1941
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Genus
- Scytalopus
Range and habitat
The Paramo tapaculo ranges the central Andes from southern Colombia to south-central Ecuador. 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 3,050 and 4,000 m (10,010 and 13,120 ft). It is believed to be sedentary.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush
Garrulax castanotis
A dark gray laughingthrush with an orange ear patch and a black face, throat, and chest. Forages on the ground and in low shrubbery, usually in medium-sized flocks; associates with other species in mixed groups as well. Inhabits forested foothills, hills, and mountains. Hainan subspecies of Black-throated Laughingthrush has a less extensive black throat and brighter brown body.
Sula Cuckoo-Dove
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A large, long-tailed, slate-colored dove with a conspicuous white face. Also note the red eye-ring and the metallic green shawl on the sides of the neck. Juvenile duller, with gray face. Usually encountered singly or in pairs, in the upper levels of trees in forests and forest edges, as well as more patchy, open wooded areas. Unique within its restricted range. Song is usually a series of six notes: “woo-ooo-woop-woop-woop” sometimes preceded by soft, short “pip-pip-pip” notes.
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