Narino Tapaculo

Overview

The Nariño tapaculo (Scytalopus vicinior) is a species of bird in the family Rhinocryptidae found in Colombia and Ecuador. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Tacarcuna tapaculo but is now recognized as distinct.

Identification

• Males have a dark gray head and back, a cinnamon rump with dusky bars, and lighter gray underparts with yellowish brown, barred flanks.
• Femiles are similar but have browner backs, lighter gray throats, and sometimes yellower lower bellies.
• The song is a fast series of well-enunciated, ringing notes starting with a brief stutter, lasting 15-30 seconds.

Habitat

Found on the west slope of the Andes from Risaralda and Chocó Departments in Colombia to southwestern Cotopaxi Province in Ecuador. It primarily inhabits the understory of moist montane forest and occasionally forest edges at elevations between 1,250 and 2,000 m, occasionally reaching 2,350 m.

Diet

The Nariño tapaculo preys on a variety of insects, though little is known about its specific feeding phenology.

Did you know?

Breeding condition specimens were collected in November, December, and April, indicating potential breeding activity during these months, despite limited knowledge of its breeding behavior.