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
The Paramo tapaculo forages on and near the ground for small arthropods and occasionally for berries.<p>Little is known about the Paramo tapaculo's breeding phenology. Females with brood patches and juveniles have been collected in March, May, and November.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Unusual dark greenbul with upright posture that does strongly resemble a honeyguide. Males have a white eye and females a dark one. Both sexes show a large white patch in the outer tail. Found in the upper portions of lowland forest. Usually in pairs or small groups. Most often detected by call: a slow series of mewing whistles. Similar to Sjöstedt's Greenbul, but has darker gray underparts, and male further distinguished by its pale eye. Distinguished from honeyguides by its different shape, especially the longer tail. Flight is direct, unlike undulating flight of a honeyguide.
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