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Photo: © Jorge Muñoz García CAQUETA BIRDING eBird S42530739 Macaulay Library ML 86238011
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Brown-rumped Tapaculo

Scytalopus latebricola
Tapaculo Ratón
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Song

Brown-rumped Tapaculo


Appearance: The Brown-rumped Tapaculo is a small bird, measuring around 13 cm in length. It has a dark gray to black plumage on the upperparts and a brown rump, which gives the bird its common name. The underparts are lighter gray. The bill is short and straight, adapted for its insectivorous diet. The tail is short and often held upright.
Habitat: This species inhabits dense undergrowth in humid montane forests, often at elevations ranging from 2,200 to 3,700 m. It prefers areas with thick vegetation, such as bamboo thickets and forest edges, where it can easily forage and hide from predators.
Behavior: The Brown-rumped Tapaculo feeds on insects and other small invertebrates. It forages on the forest floor, using its bill to probe leaf litter. It is known for being elusive and difficult to spot, often heard before being seen. Its movements are quick and furtive. The bird is more often detected by its vocalizations, which are a series of sharp, repetitive calls.
 Breeding: The breeding habits of the Brown-rumped Tapaculo are not well-documented, but like many tapaculos, it likely nests in dense vegetation or ground-level cavities. Information on its breeding season and clutch size is limited, but it is assumed to follow similar patterns to related species, with small clutches and parental care.
Conservation Status: The Brown-rumped Tapaculo is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Colombia, it is found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is often recorded in protected areas and national parks where suitable habitat is preserved.

Taxonomy

The Brown-rumped Tapaculo (Scytalopus latebricola)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Rhinocryptidae
  • Genus: Scytalopus
  • Species: Scytalopus latebricola

Vocalization

The Brown-rumped Tapaculo like many tapaculos, its vocalizations are an important aspect of its behavior since these birds are often more easily heard than seen due to their secretive nature and dense habitat preferences.
The vocalizations of the Brown-rumped Tapaculo include a series of repeated notes or phrases. These can be described as a series of sharp, metallic "tic" or "chip" sounds, often delivered in a rapid sequence. 
The calls are consistent in rhythm and pitch, making them distinctive in the bird's montane forest environment. These vocalizations are used for communication between individuals, territory establishment, and mate attraction.
If you are trying to identify the Brown-rumped Tapaculo by its call, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with recordings of its vocalizations.