Bolivian Tapaculo

Overview

The Bolivian tapaculo (Scytalopus bolivianus) is a species of bird in the family Rhinocryptidae found in Bolivia and Peru. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the rufous-vented tapaculo but was separated based principally on differences in their vocalizations.

Identification

• Males are mostly dark gray with reddish brown flanks, vent, and crissum, featuring a variable amount of white on the crown.
• Females are paler gray washed with brown above, possessing a black-barred brown belly.
• The species is small, measuring 12 cm (4.7 in) in length.
• Males weigh between 17 to 22 g, while one female was recorded at 19.5 g.

Habitat

The species inhabits dense undergrowth in humid broadleaf forest across southeastern Peru and Bolivia. Its primary elevational range is between 1,000 and 2,300 m, though it can be found as high as 2,850 m in certain locations.

Did you know?

The bird’s song can last for up to 15 seconds. Its alarm call is described as a repeated "kekekeke".