Puna Tapaculo
NamePuna Tapaculo
Common NamePuna Tapaculo
Scientific NameScytalopus simonsi
FamilyRhinocryptidae
Wingspan (cm)17
Length (cm)11
Weight (g)18
Plumage DetailsUniform dark grey plumage, often with a brownish wash on the flanks and rump, and sometimes faint barring on the lower flanks. The bill and legs are dark.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a distinctive, rapid, and repetitive series of notes, often described as a churring or trilling sound.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsmountain, grassland, forest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the high Andes of southern Peru (Puno, Cusco) and western Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz).
Identifying Featuressmall size, dark uniform plumage, secretive ground-dwelling behavior, distinctive repetitive call, long legs, short tail
Description
This small, secretive, ground-dwelling bird inhabits high-altitude Andean scrub and puna grasslands. It is typically observed foraging in dense undergrowth, often more easily heard than seen due to its elusive nature.
