El Oro Tapaculo

Overview

The El Oro tapaculo is a small passerine bird in the genus Scytalopus that is restricted to a small area in south-western Ecuador. It was not described until 1997 and is currently classified as an endangered species by the IUCN.

Identification

• 11 cm long with a black, fairly heavy bill.
• Plumage is predominantly grey with a brown nape and rump, and brown barring on the flanks; the tail is blackish.
• Females have browner underparts than males.
• Song consists of a series of double-notes repeated for about a minute.

Habitat

It inhabits the undergrowth of humid forest on the Andean slope between 700 and 1250 metres above sea level. Its range covers El Oro, Guayas and Cañar provinces in south-western Ecuador, and undoubtedly extends into the intervening Azuay Province, with part of its range lying within the Buenaventura Reserve.

Did you know?

Although the species is restricted to a small area in south-western Ecuador, it was not scientifically described until 1997.