Pale-bellied Tapaculo

Overview

The pale-bellied tapaculo, also known as the matorral or rufous-rumped tapaculo, is a small passerine bird in the family Rhinocryptidae. It is classified by the IUCN as Least Concern, although specific subspecies face significant habitat fragmentation.

Identification

• Length of 10 to 11.5 cm, with nominate adults weighing between 16.6 and 19.3 g.
• Nominate plumage is mostly grey and lighter on the underside, with brownish-grey back and wings, and orange-brown rump, flanks, and vent.
• Songs consist of a trill, sometimes preceded by a single note, while the scold call is also a trill.
• Subspecies vary in colour, with S. g. gilesi having darker slate-grey underparts and S. g. morenoi featuring a brown mantle.

Habitat

Found in the Eastern Andes of Colombia and slightly into adjacent Venezuela, the species inhabits low scrub in elfin forest and páramo at elevations of 2,000 to 3,900 m. It occasionally occupies montane and oak forest, as well as Chusquea bamboo stands, and appears to tolerate disturbed and fragmented habitats.

Diet

The pale-bellied tapaculo is assumed to be insectivorous, but few details regarding its specific diet or foraging behaviour are currently known.

Did you know?

Although formerly considered a subspecies of the Magellanic tapaculo, it is now recognised as distinct. The subspecies S. g. morenoi was not described until 2015, highlighting recent taxonomic revisions in the region.