Planalto Tapaculo

Description: The plumage is generally lead-colored, the rump and abdomen are cinnamon barred with black, and the wings are rounded. The juveniles, as with other Scytalopus, are brown with a resemblance to the Wren (Troglodytes).

Geographical Distribution: Argentina (Misiones) and southern Brazil.

Habitat: Tacuaral and low vegetation in forests.

Behavior: Curious and confident but very small, agile, and secretive, which makes its observation very difficult. It has a very loud and constant voice that allows it to be recognized from a good distance.

It has recently been described as a new species for science in southern Brazil and Misiones, Argentina (Maurício, 2005), making S. speluncae endemic to Brazil.

S. pachecoi went unnoticed for a long time, and the separation is based on the difference in vocalization (the frequency of note emission in its song vocalization, distinct contact calls), different plumage stages, and sympatry, as both species coexist in southern Brazil.

Author of this compilation: Jorge La Grotteria