White-browed Tapaculo

Overview

The white-browed tapaculo (Scytalopus superciliaris) is a small bird in the family Rhinocryptidae found exclusively in northwestern Argentina. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, appearing fairly common despite its limited range within a few national parks.

Identification

• Size: Approximately 10.5 cm (4.1 in) in length.
• Plumage: Nominate adults feature a striking long white supercilium, white throat and upper breast, gray lower breast, and grayish-brown to brownish-gray back and wings. The rump is barred brown, while flanks, belly, and crissum are pale olive-brown with black bars. Subspecies S. s. santabarbarae is darker with chestnut upper parts and blackish-brown underparts.
• Song: Consists of a single burred note followed by a short pause and a drawn-out descending “churr”, repeated at a regular pace for several minutes.

Habitat

This species inhabits the undergrowth of Alnus and Polylepis woodlands, often in shaded rocky ravines, at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,350 m. The nominate subspecies ranges from Jujuy Province south to northern La Rioja Province, while subspecies S. s. santabarbarae is likely limited to the Santa Bárbara Mountains of Jujuy and possibly extends into Salta Province.

Did you know?

The white-browed tapaculo constructs its nest as an open cup placed at the end of a tunnel, with the tunnels measuring between 0.3 and 0.5 m (0.98 to 1.64 ft) in length.