Birds of Ecuador

    PASSERIFORMES: Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)  
Genus: Scytalopus (10 species, 49 worldwide)

Genus Scytalopus, Tapaculos, are small black or grey insect-eating birds found in thick brush in the forest understory, and very rarely seen. Most tapaculos in this genus are so similar that they can only be identified by voice, usually a long repeating call.


Loja Tapaculo
Loja Tapaculo (Scytalopus androstictus)
Cerro Toledo, Loja, Ecuador  
   
Photograph by Tropical Birding (Nick Athanas)   © All Rights Reserved.

Split from the Paramo Tapaculo in 2020 and found south from Loja, Ecuador to north Peru.

White-crowned Tapaculo
White-crowned Tapaculo (Scytalopus atratus)
ProAves Chestnut-capped Piha Reserve, AnorĂ­, Antioquia, Colombia
  White crown (really just a spot) barely visible in this photo.
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

A tiny bit less secretive than most tapaculos. Found from 1000-2000m in Andean forests.


Choco Tapaculo
Choco Tapaculo (Scytalopus chocoensis)
Queremal, Valle del Cauca, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Bad side shot.

Blackish Tapaculo
Blackish Tapaculo (Scytalopus latrans latrans)
San Sebastian Reserve, Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Commonly heard around 2000-3000m and with a slower more bird-like call than many other tapaculos.

Long-tailed Tapaculo
Long-tailed Tapaculo (Scytalopus micropterus)
San Isidro, Ecuador  
   
Photograph by Francesco Veronesi     Copyright and usage info


Paramo Tapaculo
Paramo Tapaculo (Scytalopus opacus)
Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.


Chusquea Tapaculo
Chusquea Tapaculo (Scytalopus parkeri)
Tapichalaca Reserve, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador  
   
Photograph by Tropical Birding (Nick Athanas)   © All Rights Reserved.


No Image
El Oro Tapaculo (Scytalopus robbinsi) Endangered ENDEMIC
   



Spillmann's Tapaculo
Spillmann's Tapaculo (Scytalopus spillmanni)
ProAves Dusky Starfrontlet Reserve, Urrao, Antioquia, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Note long continuous call compared to the choppy Ash-colored Tapaculo. May have more rufous on flanks than other species. Found in forests from 2500m up to the paramo.

Narino Tapaculo
Narino Tapaculo (Scytalopus vicinior)
ProAves Tangaras Reserve, El Carmen de Atrato, Choco, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Narino Tapaculo
Narino Tapaculo (Scytalopus vicinior) Immature
ProAves Tangaras Reserve, El Carmen de Atrato, Choco, Colombia
  Typical coloration for an immature tapaculo.
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.



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