Small tapaculo (10.5–11 cm), compact and short-tailed, with a white eyebrow, dark gray mask, and white throat. The upperparts, including the crown, are brown with grayish tones; the chest and belly are lead-gray, and the flanks and undertail coverts are olive-brown with fine barring. Bill blackish, legs brown. Sexes similar; juveniles are browner and show a faint eyebrow. Visually almost identical to the White-browed Tapaculo (S. superciliaris); in the field it is distinguished almost exclusively by its song, although the two species are allopatric.
Geographical distribution: Southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina (Salta and Jujuy), where it has been recorded in places such as Santa Ana (Jujuy), Santa Victoria Oeste and Cuesta del Obispo (Salta); between 1,700 and 3,200 m a.s.l. Long considered restricted to Bolivia, its presence in Argentina was revealed through vocal studies in areas where it was previously confused with the White-browed Tapaculo.
Habitat: Rocky ravines and humid mountain slopes with high-altitude grasslands, as well as montane forests of alder (Alnus acuminata) and queñoa (Polylepis spp.) in the Yungas, especially in areas with exposed roots, dense vegetation, and mosses.
Diet: Feeds mainly on small invertebrates and seeds. Forages on the ground or among roots and rocks, moving quickly.
Behavior: Very terrestrial and fast, rarely flies. Hides among rocks, embankments, and stone walls, giving occasional harsh calls. Usually seen alone or in pairs. More often heard than seen.
Voice: Song composed of series of 3–8 notes, repeated for several minutes at a rate of 6–8 per second. The first note is stronger, and the last typically ends in a prolonged descending “churr.” Much longer and more rhythmic than the song of the White-browed Tapaculo, which is clearly bisyllabic.
Nesting: Nests placed in crevices or stone walls, built with mosses and plant fibers. Both adults feed the chicks.
Conservation status: Not threatened in Argentina and listed as Least Concern (LC) internationally. Although its distribution is restricted, it is considered locally common and tolerant of some degree of habitat alteration.
Authors of this compilation: Diego Carus and Maria Belén Dri – 06/12/2025