Silvery-fronted Tapaculo

Overview

The Scytalopus argentifrons, or silvery-fronted tapaculo, is a small bird in the family Rhinocryptidae found exclusively in Central America. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, it inhabits the Talamancan montane forests of Costa Rica and Panama. The species comprises two subspecies, with the nominate form having a wider range than the Chiriqui subspecies.

Identification

• Length of 11 cm and weight of 17 g.
• Nominate males are mostly sooty black with a silvery forehead, white supercilium, and brownish-red flanks and crissum; Chiriqui males are darker with a less prominent supercilium.
• Females lack the supercilium, showing dark brown upper parts, dark gray throats and breasts, blackish bellies, and brighter brownish-red flanks.
• Song consists of a series of notes that slow down and increase in volume over five to ten seconds.

Habitat

Inhabits Talamancan montane forests at elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 m. Prefers thickets and bamboo within the undergrowth of humid primary and secondary forests, particularly in ravines and along streams. The nominate subspecies ranges from western Panama through Costa Rica near the Nicaraguan border, while the Chiriqui subspecies is restricted to western Panama.

Diet

Forages for insects and other arthropods by creeping and hopping along the ground.

Did you know?

It is the only member of its family whose entire range is located in Central America.