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Photo: © Lisa & Li Li eBird S141322095 Macaulay Library ML 588230721
magdalena-tapaculo

Upper Magdalena Tapaculo

Scytalopus (rodriguezi) rodriguezi
Tapaculo del Magdalena
map-colombia-upper-magdalena-tapaculo
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Song

Upper Magdalena Tapaculo

Appearance: The Upper Magdalena Tapaculo is a small, elusive bird with a dark and inconspicuous plumage common of tapaculos. It has a slate-gray coloration, with darker tones on the upperparts and lighter gray on the underparts. The bird has a short tail and long legs, which are adaptations for its terrestrial lifestyle. Due to its secretive nature and preference for dense undergrowth, it is more often heard than seen.
Habitat: It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The bird prefers dense vegetation, including thickets and understory, where it can forage and nest.
Behavior: The Upper Magdalena Tapaculo is known for its skulking behavior, often staying hidden in dense undergrowth. It is terrestrial, foraging on the forest floor for insects and other small invertebrates. The bird is more often detected by its  vocalizations, which consist of a series of repeated notes or trills. These calls are used for communication between individuals and for establishing territories.
Breeding: Information on the breeding habits of the Upper Magdalena Tapaculo is limited, as is common with many tapaculo species due to their secretive nature. Breeding is presumed to occur during the rainy season when food availability is higher. Nests are built close to the ground, concealed within dense vegetation or in natural cavities.
Conservation Status: The Upper Magdalena Tapaculo is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

Distribution

This species is endemic to Colombia and has a restricted range within the Upper Magdalena Valley. It is found in the departments of Huila and Tolima, where suitable montane forest habitats exist. Its limited distribution makes it susceptible to habitat changes and underscores the importance of conservation measures in these areas. Efforts to study and conserve the Upper Magdalena Tapaculo are ongoing, with emphasis on habitat protection and understanding its ecological needs to ensure its survival.

Taxonomy

The Upper Magdalena Tapaculo (Scytalopus (rodriguezi) rodriguezi)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Rhinocryptidae
  • Genus: Scytalopus
  • Species: Scytalopus rodriguezi
  • Subspecie: rodriguezi

Vocalization

The Upper Magdalena Tapaculo is knownfor its distinctive vocalizations, which are often more easily heard than the bird is seen due to its secretive nature and preference for dense undergrowth.
The vocalization of the Upper Magdalena Tapaculo consists of a series of rapid, repetitive notes or trills. These calls are often used for communication between individuals during the breeding season, and can vary slightly in rhythm and pitch. The song is usually a series of short, sharp notes that may accelerate or remain steady.