Tapaculo
Encyclopedia
The tapaculos are a group of small suboscine passeriform bird
s with numerous species, found mainly in South America
and with the highest diversity in the Andean regions. Three species, the Choco
, the Pale-throated and the Silvery-fronted Tapaculo
, are found in southern Central America
.
for "cover your behind". Another possible explanation is that it originates from the Chile
an name for the White-throated Tapaculo
, simply Tapaculo, which is an onomatopoeic reference to its commonly heard song.
While the majority of the family are small blackish or brown birds there are some larger and more colourful species. All tapaculos are skulking birds that frequently stay low in dense vegetation, even the larger, colorful species, and this renders them difficult to see. They are best located and – in the case of Scytalopus spp. – identified by their vocalisations.
They feed on insects, seeds and other soft plant material with their pointy bills, and will scratch on the ground like a pheasant
.
Most species lay two or three white eggs in a covered location, whether it be a burrow, a hole in a tree, or a domed nest.
currently (2007) consider one species vulnerable
(Scytalopus panamensis), three species endangered (S. iraiensis, S. rodriguezi and S. robbinsi), and two species critically endangered
(Eleoscytalopus psychopompus
and Merulaxis stresemanni). The two critically endangered species are restricted to Atlantic forest of eastern Brazil, and were only recently rediscovered after several years without any records.
Rhinocryptidae; more recent research (Irestedt et al. 2002, Rice 2005a,b) indicates that according to analysis of mt and nDNA sequence
data, the tapaculos might be better merged into the Formicariidae
as tribe
Rhinocryptini, as they are closer to the antthrushes than either is to the true antpittas.
Alternatively, the latter might be raised to family status. In this case, it would be possible to maintain the tapaculos as a separate family too, but it would seem altogether more warranted to consider them a subfamily of the Formicariinae sensu stricto, which would be called Rhinocryptinae.
Whether this latter approach, the placement as a tribe in a tapaculo-antthrush Formicariinae subfamily, or maintenance as a separate family is to be preferred depends on whether the true antpittas are closer to the tapaculos and true antbirds, or rather to the Pittasoma
"gnatthrushes" and other gnateaters and the true antbird
s. There are some, albeit very tentative, indications that the latter may indeed be the case, which would be reflected in the placement of the tapaculos as subfamily Rhinocryptinae, with the Formicariinae being restricted to the true antthrushes (Rice 2005a).
It must be noted that apparently not all tapaculo genera would have to be moved to the formicariids (Irestedt et al. 2002). As the type genus
Rhinocrypta certainly would, any distinct genera (such as the peculiar crescent-chests) would need a new family name.
is among the most complex matters in Neotropical ornithology
. 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 Brazilian taxa are similarly complex with several recently described species and considerable confusion surrounding the use of the scientific name Scytalopus speluncae.
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 a yet undescribed species). 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.
Probably a distinct family N.N.
Placement unresolved
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 with numerous species, found mainly in South America
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 with the highest diversity in the Andean regions. Three species, the Choco
Chocó Tapaculo
The 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....
, the Pale-throated and the Silvery-fronted Tapaculo
Silvery-fronted Tapaculo
The 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:...
, are found in southern 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...
.
Description
Tapaculos are small to medium-sized birds, with a total length ranging from 10–24 cm (4–9½ in). These are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed towards the head, and the name tapaculo possibly derives from SpanishSpanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
for "cover your behind". Another possible explanation is that it originates from the Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an name for the White-throated Tapaculo
White-throated Tapaculo
The White-throated Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is endemic to Chile.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland....
, simply Tapaculo, which is an onomatopoeic reference to its commonly heard song.
While the majority of the family are small blackish or brown birds there are some larger and more colourful species. All tapaculos are skulking birds that frequently stay low in dense vegetation, even the larger, colorful species, and this renders them difficult to see. They are best located and – in the case of Scytalopus spp. – identified by their vocalisations.
They feed on insects, seeds and other soft plant material with their pointy bills, and will scratch on the ground like a pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
.
Most species lay two or three white eggs in a covered location, whether it be a burrow, a hole in a tree, or a domed nest.
Threats and 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), three species endangered (S. iraiensis, S. rodriguezi and S. robbinsi), and two species critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
(Eleoscytalopus psychopompus
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...
and Merulaxis stresemanni). The two critically endangered species are restricted to Atlantic forest of eastern Brazil, and were only recently rediscovered after several years without any records.
Taxonomy
The tapaculos were traditionally placed in a distinct familyFamily (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Rhinocryptidae; more recent research (Irestedt et al. 2002, Rice 2005a,b) indicates that according to analysis of mt and nDNA sequence
DNA sequence
The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and the chemical bonds that bond those atoms. Because nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are unbranched polymers, this specification is equivalent to specifying the sequence of...
data, the tapaculos might be better merged into the Formicariidae
Formicariidae
The Formicariidae, formicariids, or ground antbirds are a family of smallish passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are between 10 and 20 cm in length, and are related to the antbirds, Thamnophilidae, and gnateaters, Conopophagidae...
as tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Rhinocryptini, as they are closer to the antthrushes than either is to the true antpittas.
Alternatively, the latter might be raised to family status. In this case, it would be possible to maintain the tapaculos as a separate family too, but it would seem altogether more warranted to consider them a subfamily of the Formicariinae sensu stricto, which would be called Rhinocryptinae.
Whether this latter approach, the placement as a tribe in a tapaculo-antthrush Formicariinae subfamily, or maintenance as a separate family is to be preferred depends on whether the true antpittas are closer to the tapaculos and true antbirds, or rather to the Pittasoma
Pittasoma
Pittasoma is a genus of birds in the gnateater family. Its two members breed in subtropical or tropical moist forest in South and Central America, specifically the Chocó, and Panama and Costa Rica...
"gnatthrushes" and other gnateaters and the true antbird
Antbird
The antbirds are a large family, Thamnophilidae, of passerine birds found across subtropical and tropical Central and South America, from Mexico to Argentina. There are more than 200 species, known variously as antshrikes, antwrens, antvireos, fire-eyes, bare-eyes and bushbirds...
s. There are some, albeit very tentative, indications that the latter may indeed be the case, which would be reflected in the placement of the tapaculos as subfamily Rhinocryptinae, with the Formicariinae being restricted to the true antthrushes (Rice 2005a).
It must be noted that apparently not all tapaculo genera would have to be moved to the formicariids (Irestedt et al. 2002). As the type genus
Type genus
In biological classification, a type genus is a representative genus, as with regard to a biological family. The term and concept is used much more often and much more formally in zoology than it is in botany, and the definition is dependent on the nomenclatural Code that applies:* In zoological...
Rhinocrypta certainly would, any distinct genera (such as the peculiar crescent-chests) would need a new family name.
Taxonomy of Scytalopus
The species-limits within the genus ScytalopusScytalopus
Scytalopus is a genus of small passerine birds 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,...
is among the most complex matters in Neotropical ornithology
Ornithology
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 Brazilian taxa are similarly complex with several recently described species and considerable confusion surrounding the use of the scientific name Scytalopus speluncae.
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 a yet undescribed species). 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.
Species list
Genera allied with antthrushes- Genus PteroptochosPteroptochosPteroptochos is a genus of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It contains the following species:* Chestnut-throated Huet-huet * Black-throated Huet-huet...
, the huet-huets- Black-throated Huet-huetBlack-throated Huet-huetThe Black-throated Huet-huet is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Argentina and Chile.Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:...
, Pteroptochos tarnii - Chestnut-throated Huet-huetChestnut-throated Huet-huetThe Chestnut-throated Huet-huet is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Argentina and Chile.Its natural habitats are temperate forests and heavily degraded former forest.-References:...
, Pteroptochos castaneus - Moustached TurcaMoustached TurcaThe Moustached Turca is a passerine bird which is endemic to Chile. It belongs to the tapaculo group and is a member of the genus Pteroptochos, along with the two species of huet-huet....
, Pteroptochos megapodius
- Black-throated Huet-huet
- Genus ScytalopusScytalopusScytalopus is a genus of small passerine birds 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,...
(some 40-45 species) - Genus ScelorchilusScelorchilusScelorchilus is a genus of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It contains the following species:* White-throated Tapaculo * Chucao Tapaculo...
- White-throated TapaculoWhite-throated TapaculoThe White-throated Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is endemic to Chile.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland....
, Scelorchilus albicollis - Chucao TapaculoChucao TapaculoThe Chucao Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Argentina and Chile.Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:...
, Scelorchilus rubecula
- White-throated Tapaculo
- Genus Rhinocrypta
- Crested GallitoCrested GallitoThe Crested Gallito is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Rhinocrypta.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay....
, Rhinocrypta lanceolata
- Crested Gallito
- Genus Liosceles
- Rusty-belted TapaculoRusty-belted TapaculoThe Rusty-belted Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Liosceles.It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru....
, Liosceles thoracicus
- Rusty-belted Tapaculo
Probably a distinct family N.N.
- Genus MelanopareiaMelanopareiaThe crescentchests are a genus, Melanopareia, of birds from South America. The genus has long been placed with the tapaculos in the Rhinocryptidae family. Their placement there has been questioned and in 2007 the genus was placed in its own family, Melanopareiidae by the South American...
, the crescent-chests- Collared Crescent-chestCollared Crescent-chestThe Collared Crescentchest is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.Its natural habitat is dry savanna.-References:...
, Melanopareia torquata - Olive-crowned Crescent-chestOlive-crowned Crescent-chestThe Olive-crowned Crescentchest is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay....
, Melanopareia maximiliani - Elegant Crescent-chestElegant Crescent-chestThe Elegant Crescentchest is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It is found in Ecuador and Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:...
, Melanopareia elegans - Maranon Crescent-chestMarañón Crescent-chestThe Marañón Crescentchest is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is found in Ecuador and Peru....
, Melanopareia maranonica
- Collared Crescent-chest
- Genus Teledromas
- Sandy GallitoSandy GallitoThe Sandy Gallito is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Teledromas. It is endemic to Argentina....
, Teledromas fuscus
- Sandy Gallito
Placement unresolved
- Genus Psilorhamphus
- Spotted BamboowrenSpotted BamboowrenThe Spotted Bamboowren is a small species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Psilorhamphus. It endemic to Atlantic Forest, mainly at bamboo thickets, in south-eastern Brazil and far north-eastern Argentina. It is threatened by habitat loss...
, Psilorhamphus guttatus
- Spotted Bamboowren
- Genus MerulaxisMerulaxisMerulaxis is a genus of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family.It contains the following species:* Stresemann's Bristlefront * Slaty Bristlefront...
, the bristlefronts- Slaty BristlefrontSlaty BristlefrontThe Slaty Bristlefront, Merulaxis ater, is a member of the tapaculos, the Neotropical bird family Rhinocryptidae.It inhabits the forests of south-east Brazil. It is currently becoming rare due to habitat loss, especially to the lowland forests....
, Merulaxis ater - Stresemann's BristlefrontStresemann's BristlefrontThe Stresemann's Bristlefront 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:...
, Merulaxis stresemanni
- Slaty Bristlefront
- Genus EleoscytalopusEleoscytalopusEleoscytalopus 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...
(formerly in Scytalopus)- White-breasted TapaculoWhite-breasted TapaculoThe 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...
, Eleoscytalopus indigoticus - Bahia TapaculoBahia TapaculoThe 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...
, Eleoscytalopus psychopompus
- White-breasted Tapaculo
- Genus Eugralla
- Ochre-flanked TapaculoOchre-flanked TapaculoThe Ochre-flanked Tapaculo is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Eugralla.It is found in Argentina and Chile.Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:...
, Eugralla paradoxa
- Ochre-flanked Tapaculo
- Genus Myornis
- Ash-colored Tapaculo, Myornis senilis
- Genus Acropternis
- Ocellated TapaculoOcellated TapaculoThe Ocellated Tapaculo is a large bird found in the northern Andes in South America. It is a highly distinctive tapaculo; traditionally united with its closest relatives in the Rhinocryptidae, this family is paraphyletic with the Formicariidae but instead of merging the tapaculos with the...
, Acropternis orthonyx
- Ocellated Tapaculo
External links
- Tapaculo videos on the Internet Bird Collection