Zimmer's Tapaculo

Overview

Zimmer's tapaculo (Scytalopus zimmeri) is a small passerine bird belonging to the family Rhinocryptidae. It is found in the Andean slopes of southern Bolivia and Argentina and is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Length of 10.5 cm, with males weighing 17.6 to 19.9 g and one recorded female weighing 15.9 g.
• Adults feature a striking white supercilium, throat, and upper breast, contrasting with a gray head, back, and wings that have a brown wash.
• Olive-brown flanks and vent are marked with dusky bars, while juveniles possess a faint buff supercilium and olive-brown upper parts.
• Song consists of a series of three to five burry notes repeated at intervals, often for many minutes, with calls consisting of one or two quick notes repeated.

Habitat

Found in Bolivia's Chuquisaca and Tarija departments and Argentina's Jujuy and Salta provinces. It inhabits Andean slopes between 1,700 and 3,200 m elevation, residing in seasonally humid Alnus, Podocarpus, and Polylepis woodlands, as well as open wet rocky slopes with bunch grass and shrubs.

Diet

Forages on and near the ground, frequently remaining hidden among roots, rocks, and ferns. Although its specific diet is not well documented, it appears to favour seeds.

Did you know?

Both members of a pair have been observed tending nestlings in October. The nest is constructed within the crevice of an earth and stone bank.