Choco Tapaculo

Overview

The Chocó tapaculo (Scytalopus chocoensis) is a small bird in the family Rhinocryptidae, currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Nariño tapaculo but was elevated to full species status following taxonomic revisions. The species is distributed across a narrow band of western Colombia, northwestern Ecuador, and eastern Panama.

Identification

• An 11 cm long bird with dark gray males featuring a reddish-brown, barred lower belly, while females exhibit a brownish wash extending to the head.
• Juveniles have drab brown upper parts and appear barred below.
• Vocalisation includes a resonant series lasting 5–60 seconds, with initial notes slightly lower-pitched and faster, as well as a call consisting of short sharp notes.

Habitat

This species inhabits the dense understory of humid primary forest as well as forest edges in two small areas on the Pacific slope of eastern Panama and a narrow band from western Colombia south into northwestern Ecuador. Elevational ranges vary, with the Panama population found between 1,340 and 1,465 m, while Colombian and Ecuadorian populations occupy altitudes from 250 to 1,250 m.

Diet

The Chocó tapaculo forages on the ground, where it primarily feeds on insects. Specific details regarding its broader diet or foraging techniques remain largely unknown.

Did you know?

Nests are constructed as balls of rootlets and moss, measuring 12 cm in diameter, and are concealed within leaf litter. Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings found inside these concealed structures.