Blackish Tapaculo
NameBlackish Tapaculo
Common NameBlackish Tapaculo
Scientific NameScytalopus latrans
FamilyRhinocryptidae
Wingspan (cm)16.5
Length (cm)11.25
Weight (g)18.5
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is uniformly dusky blackish-gray, giving the bird a very dark appearance. Some individuals or subspecies may exhibit faint brownish or rufous barring on the flanks, but the overall impression is consistently dark.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its distinctive, often monotonous and repetitive vocalizations, which consist of a rapid, churring or trilling series of notes. The call can be described as a rapid 'churr-churr-churr' or 'tuc-tuc-tuc' that may accelerate.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Andes mountain range of South America, specifically from southern Colombia through Ecuador to northern Peru.
Identifying FeaturesSmall size, Uniformly dark blackish plumage, Short tail often held cocked, Skulking behavior in dense undergrowth, Distinctive repetitive call
Description
A small, dark, and secretive bird, the Blackish Tapaculo inhabits the dense undergrowth of montane forests. It is typically observed foraging on or near the ground, often heard more frequently than seen due to its skulking nature.
