BirdAmp
Magdalena Tapaculo (Scytalopus rodriguezi)

Magdalena Tapaculo

Scytalopus rodriguezi

Endangered

Overview

The Magdalena tapaculo, also known as the Upper Magdalena tapaculo, is a Neotropical bird belonging to the family of tapaculos. It was first described as new to science in 2005 after its existence was confirmed following initial suspicions in 1986.

Habitat

This species is a restricted-range endemic found exclusively on the eastern slope of the Cordillera Central at the head of the Magdalena Valley in Colombia. It inhabits humid forests with dense understorey at elevations of 2000 m or more above sea level.

Did you know?

The species' scientific name honours José Vicente Rodriguez Mahecha, a Colombian conservationist. Its existence was first suspected in 1986 via a tape-recording of its song, but political instability prevented confirmation until 2002–2003.

Sources