Scytalopus
Encyclopedia
Scytalopus is a genus
of small passerine
bird
s belonging to the tapaculo
group. They are found in South
and Central America
from Tierra del Fuego
to Costa Rica
, but are absent from the Amazon Basin
. They inhabit dense vegetation at or near ground-level and are mainly found in mountainous regions, particularly the Andes
. They can be very difficult to see as they run through the undergrowth in a mouse
-like fashion.
of most species are browner and have barred flanks. Many species are essentially impossible to separate by their plumage, but songs
and calls are often distinctive and important for species identification.
s. Little is known about the breeding habits of most species but the eggs
are usually white and the nest
is usually ball-shaped and made of plant material such as root-fibres and moss
es. It is built in a cavity in sites such as earth banks or among the roots or bark of trees.
. They are highly cryptic
, and identification using visual features often is impossible. Vocal and biochemical data is typically needed to clarify the taxonomic status of the various populations. Several new species
have been described in recent years (e.g. S. stilesi and S. rodriguezi from Colombia
). The taxonomic status of many of the Andean species was resolved by Krabbe & Schulenberg (1997) who split a number of species and described three new ones. The confusing situation is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that only 10 species were recognized in this genus in 1970 (Krabbe & Schulenberg, 2003), while the figure now is more than four times as high. Additionally, still undescribed species are known to exist (e.g. the "Apurimac Tapaculo" and "Millpo Tapaculo"; both from Peru
), while some species as currently defined actually may include several species (e.g. the southern population of the Large-footed Tapaculo
may represent an undescribed species). Donegan & Avendano recently reviewed the Colombian and Venezuelan species, formally describing one new subspecies and providing details of a further three undescribed species or subspecies to be described in future publications.
The Brazilian taxa are similarly complex with several recently described species and considerable confusion surrounding the use of the scientific name Scytalopus speluncae.
currently (2007) consider one species vulnerable
(Scytalopus panamensis) and three species endangered (S. iraiensis, S. rodriguezi and S. robbinsi).
and Bahia Tapaculo
s were placed in this genus, but these two species are now known to be closer to the bristlefronts (genus Merulaxis
) and have therefore been moved to Eleoscytalopus
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of small passerine
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s belonging to the tapaculo
Tapaculo
The tapaculos are a group of small suboscine passeriform birds with numerous species, found mainly in South America and with the highest diversity in the Andean regions...
group. They are found in South
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
from Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland, across the Strait of Magellan. The archipelago consists of a main island Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego divided between Chile and Argentina with an area of , and a group of smaller islands including Cape...
to Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, but are absent from the Amazon Basin
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
. They inhabit dense vegetation at or near ground-level and are mainly found in mountainous regions, particularly the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
. They can be very difficult to see as they run through the undergrowth in a mouse
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
-like fashion.
Description
They are plump with short tails that often are held cocked. Depending on species, the total length is 10–14 cm (4-5½ in). Their plumage is blackish or grey. Several species have brown bellies, rumps or flanks; often with some barring. A few have white crowns or eyebrows. JuvenilesJuvenile (organism)
A juvenile is an individual organism that has not yet reached its adult form, sexual maturity or size. Juveniles sometimes look very different from the adult form, particularly in terms of their colour...
of most species are browner and have barred flanks. Many species are essentially impossible to separate by their plumage, but songs
Bird song
Bird vocalization includes both bird calls and bird songs. In non-technical use, bird songs are the bird sounds that are melodious to the human ear. In ornithology and birding, songs are distinguished by function from calls.-Definition:The distinction between songs and calls is based upon...
and calls are often distinctive and important for species identification.
Behavior
Their diet consists mainly of insectInsect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s. Little is known about the breeding habits of most species but the eggs
Egg (biology)
An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop. In most birds, reptiles, insects, molluscs, fish, and monotremes, an egg is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum, which is expelled from the body and permitted to develop outside the body until the developing...
are usually white and the nest
Nest
A nest is a place of refuge to hold an animal's eggs or provide a place to live or raise offspring. They are usually made of some organic material such as twigs, grass, and leaves; or may simply be a depression in the ground, or a hole in a tree, rock or building...
is usually ball-shaped and made of plant material such as root-fibres and moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
es. It is built in a cavity in sites such as earth banks or among the roots or bark of trees.
Taxonomy
The species-limits within this genus is among the most complex matters in Neotropical ornithologyOrnithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
. They are highly cryptic
Crypsis
In ecology, crypsis is the ability of an organism to avoid observation or detection by other organisms. It may be either a predation strategy or an antipredator adaptation, and methods include camouflage, nocturnality, subterranean lifestyle, transparency, and mimicry...
, and identification using visual features often is impossible. Vocal and biochemical data is typically needed to clarify the taxonomic status of the various populations. Several new species
Bird species new to science described in the 2000s
This page details the bird species described as new to science in the years 2000 to 2010:-Number of species described per year:-Countries with high numbers of newly described species:* Brazil* Colombia* Peru* Indonesia-2000:...
have been described in recent years (e.g. S. stilesi and S. rodriguezi from Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
). The taxonomic status of many of the Andean species was resolved by Krabbe & Schulenberg (1997) who split a number of species and described three new ones. The confusing situation is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that only 10 species were recognized in this genus in 1970 (Krabbe & Schulenberg, 2003), while the figure now is more than four times as high. Additionally, still undescribed species are known to exist (e.g. the "Apurimac Tapaculo" and "Millpo Tapaculo"; both from Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
), while some species as currently defined actually may include several species (e.g. the southern population of the Large-footed Tapaculo
Large-footed Tapaculo
The Large-footed Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
may represent an undescribed species). Donegan & Avendano recently reviewed the Colombian and Venezuelan species, formally describing one new subspecies and providing details of a further three undescribed species or subspecies to be described in future publications.
The Brazilian taxa are similarly complex with several recently described species and considerable confusion surrounding the use of the scientific name Scytalopus speluncae.
Conservation
Some species have highly localized distributions, and being poor fliers, they easily become isolated in small populations. BirdLife InternationalBirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
currently (2007) consider one species vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
(Scytalopus panamensis) and three species endangered (S. iraiensis, S. rodriguezi and S. robbinsi).
Species list
Until recently, the White-breastedWhite-breasted Tapaculo
The White-breasted Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to Atlantic forest in south-eastern Brazil. It is threatened by habitat loss...
and Bahia Tapaculo
Bahia Tapaculo
The Bahia Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to lowland Atlantic forests in Bahia, Brazil. Until recently, it was feared extinct, but has since been rediscovered and is now known from the municipalities of Ilhéus, Maraú, Taperoá, Valença...
s were placed in this genus, but these two species are now known to be closer to the bristlefronts (genus Merulaxis
Merulaxis
Merulaxis is a genus of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It contains the following species:* Stresemann's Bristlefront * Slaty Bristlefront...
) and have therefore been moved to Eleoscytalopus
Eleoscytalopus
Eleoscytalopus is a genus of tapaculos found in lowland Atlantic forest of eastern Brazil. Until recently, they were included in the genus Scytalopus, but the two species are actually closer to the bristlefronts . Unlike the members of the genus Scytalopus, the members of Eleoscytalopus have...
.
- Blackish TapaculoBlackish TapaculoThe Blackish Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:...
, Scytalopus latrans- Leymebamba Tapaculo, Scytalopus (latrans) intermedius
- Unicoloured TapaculoUnicoloured TapaculoThe Unicolored Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Peru. The Blackish Tapaculo, S. latrans, is now considered a separate species....
, Scytalopus unicolor - Trilling TapaculoTrilling TapaculoThe Trilling Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Bolivia and Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
, Scytalopus parvirostris - Serra do Mar (or Mouse-coloured) Tapaculo, Scytalopus speluncae – see species article for further on this species and its name.
- Planalto TapaculoPlanalto TapaculoThe Planalto Tapaculo is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Scytalopus, a genus of tapaculos. It was previously included in the Mouse-coloured Tapaculo but was described as a new species in 2005 based on differences in plumage and vocalizations.It is about 12 cm long and weighs...
, Scytalopus pachecoi (described in 2005) - Rock (or Espinhaço) Tapaculo, Scytalopus petrophilus – see species article for further on this species and its name.
- Diamantina TapaculoDiamantina TapaculoThe Diamantina Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It was described as a new species in 2007, and is endemic to Chapada Diamantina in Bahia, Brazil. In the same region, another species, the Sincorá Antwren, was described in 2007...
, Scytalopus diamantinensis (described in 2007) - Brasília TapaculoBrasília TapaculoThe Brasília Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is endemic to Brazil.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Scytalopus novacapitalis - Marsh TapaculoMarsh TapaculoThe Marsh Tapaculo is a recently-discovered passerine bird which belongs to the genus Scytalopus, a genus of tapaculos. It is also known as the Wetland Tapaculo or Tall-grass Wetland Tapaculo. It is endemic to Brazil....
or Wetland Tapaculo, Scytalopus iraiensis - Large-footed TapaculoLarge-footed TapaculoThe Large-footed Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
, Scytalopus macropus - Santa Marta TapaculoSanta Marta TapaculoThe Santa Marta Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to Colombia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:...
, Scytalopus sanctaemartae - Long-tailed TapaculoLong-tailed TapaculoThe Long-tailed Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:...
, Scytalopus micropterus - Rufous-vented TapaculoRufous-vented TapaculoThe Rufous-vented Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Peru. Note that the Long-tailed Tapaculo, is now considered a separate species....
, Scytalopus femoralis - Northern White-crowned Tapaculo or White-crowned Tapaculo, Scytalopus atratus
- Perija Tapaculo, Scytalopus (atratus) nigricans
- Bolivian White-crowned Tapaculo or Bolivian Tapaculo, Scytalopus bolivianus
- Tacarcuna TapaculoTacarcuna TapaculoThe Tacarcuna Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Colombia and Panama.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
or Pale-throated Tapaculo, Scytalopus panamensis - Silvery-fronted TapaculoSilvery-fronted TapaculoThe Silvery-fronted Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
, Scytalopus argentifrons - Chocó TapaculoChocó TapaculoThe Chocó Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
, Scytalopus chocoensis - Upper Magdalena TapaculoUpper Magdalena TapaculoThe Upper Magdalena Tapaculo is a member of the tapaculos, a group of Neotropical birds. It was described as new to science in 2005....
, Scytalopus rodriguezi (described in 2005) - Stiles's TapaculoStiles's TapaculoStiles's Tapaculo is a member of the tapaculos, a group of Neotropical birds. It was described as new to science in 2005....
, Scytalopus stilesi (described in 2005) - Ecuadorian TapaculoEcuadorian TapaculoThe El Oro Tapaculo or Ecuadorian Tapaculo is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Scytalopus, a genus of tapaculos. It is restricted to a small area of southern Ecuador and was not described until 1997....
or El Oro Tapaculo, Scytalopus robbinsi - Narino TapaculoNarino TapaculoThe Narino Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama....
, Scytalopus vicinior - Brown-rumped TapaculoBrown-rumped TapaculoThe Brown-rumped Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montan forests.-References:...
, Scytalopus latebricola - Mérida TapaculoMérida TapaculoThe Mérida Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-Taxonomy:...
, Scytalopus meridanus- Lara Tapaculo, Scytalopus meridanus fuscicauda – was considered at best a subspecies by Donegan & Avendano 2008.
- Caracas TapaculoCaracas TapaculoThe Caracas Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is endemic to Venezuela.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
, Scytalopus caracae - Spillmann's TapaculoSpillmann's TapaculoSpillmann's Tapaculo is a species of tapaculo in the Formicariidae family.It is found in Ecuador and Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:...
, Scytalopus spillmanni - Chusquea TapaculoChusquea TapaculoThe Chusquea Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
, Scytalopus parkeri - Magellanic TapaculoMagellanic TapaculoThe Magellanic Tapaculo is a small passerine bird of southern South America. It belongs to the genus Scytalopus, a genus of tapaculos.-Taxonomy:...
, Scytalopus magellanicus - Matorral TapaculoMatorral TapaculoThe Rufous-rumped Tapaculo , also known as the Matorral Tapaculo, is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, and Venezuela...
or Rufous-rumped Tapaculo, Scytalopus griseicollis- Colombian Tapaculo or Cundinamarca Tapaculo, Scytalopus (griseicollis) infasciatus – considered synonymous with S. g. griseicollis by Donegan & Avendano 2008.
- Yariguies? Tapaculo Scytalopus griseicollis gilesi (described in 2008)
- Neblina TapaculoNeblina TapaculoThe Neblina Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
, Scytalopus altirostris - Ancash TapaculoAncash TapaculoThe Ancash Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and rocky areas.-References:...
, Scytalopus affinis - Tschudi's TapaculoTschudi's TapaculoTschudi's Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
, Scytalopus acutirostris - Vilcabamba TapaculoVilcabamba TapaculoThe Vilcabamba Tapaculo is a small passerine bird endemic to Peru.This tapaculo was formerly considered to be a subspecies of Magellanic Tapaculo, Scytalopus magellanicus, but is now treated as a separate species based on differences in voice.It is a wren-like bird with a slender bill and fairly...
, Scytalopus urubambae - Puna TapaculoPuna TapaculoThe Puna Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland....
, Scytalopus simonsi - Zimmer's TapaculoZimmer's TapaculoThe Zimmer's Tapaculo is a species of passerinebird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to Bolivia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and rocky areas.Its name commemorates American ornithologist John Todd...
, Scytalopus zimmeri - White-browed TapaculoWhite-browed TapaculoThe White-browed Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Argentina and Bolivia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
, Scytalopus superciliaris - Dusky TapaculoDusky TapaculoThe Dusky Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is endemic to Chile.Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
, Scytalopus fuscus - Paramillo TapaculoParamillo TapaculoThe Paramillo Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Formicariidae family. It is endemic to humid highland scrub in the Cordillera Occidental in Colombia. It has traditionally included the more widespread S. opacus as a subspecies, but under the common name Paramo Tapaculo...
, Scytalopus canus – see S. opacus. - Paramo TapaculoParamo TapaculoThe Paramo Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Formicariidae family. It is found at altitudes of in the Andes of northern Peru, Ecuador and southern Colombia . It has traditionally been treated as a subspecies of S...
, Scytalopus opacus – formerly a subspecies of S. canus, but under the common name Paramo Tapaculo. - Diademed TapaculoDiademed TapaculoThe Diademed Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
, Scytalopus schulenbergi