Dusky Tapaculo
NameDusky Tapaculo
Common NameDusky Tapaculo
Scientific NameScytalopus fuscus
FamilyRhinocryptidae
Wingspan (cm)14
Length (cm)10.75
Weight (g)17
Plumage DetailsUniformly dark gray to dusky plumage, slightly paler on the belly. The tail is short and often held cocked. Some individuals may show faint brownish barring on the flanks.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a distinctive, rapid series of churring or mechanical-sounding notes, often accelerating in pace.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to central Chile, ranging from the Valparaíso region south to the Los Lagos region.
Identifying FeaturesSmall, dark, wren-like body, Uniform dusky-gray plumage, Short, cocked tail, Skulking behavior in dense vegetation, Distinctive churring call
Description
This small, wren-like bird is characterized by its uniformly dark plumage and short, often cocked tail. It is a highly secretive species, typically found skulking in dense undergrowth, making it more often heard than seen.
