Diademed tapaculo

Taxonomy and systematics

The diademed tapaculo has at various times been thought to be closely related to puna tapaculo (Scytalopus simonsi), Vilcabamba tapaculo (S. urubambae), and silvery-fronted tapaculo (S. argentifrons), though the last appears the least likely.

Description

The diademed tapaculo is 10 cm long; two males weighed 15.2 and. The species gets its name from the males' silvery forecrown and supercilium set off by a black "mask" below the supercilium. The male's upper parts are dark gray washed with brown, and it has an orange red rump with dusky bars. It is gray below, lighter to darker front to rear. The flanks and vent, like the rump, are orange red with dusky bars. The female is similar but the "diadem" is smaller and duller and the upper parts' brown wash is darker. The juvenile is a golden brown that is lighter on the underside and has bars and spots throughout.

Distribution and habitat

The diademed tapaculo's range extends from the Cordillera Vilcanota in Peru's Department of Cuzco southeast to the Cochabamba Department of Bolivia. It is found in bamboo and other dense undergrowth of humid montane forest near tree line, at elevations of 2800 to.

Behavior

Feeding

The diademed tapaculo forages on and near the ground for insects. It moves quickly while gleaning from moss and vegetation and probing mossy branches.

Breeding

The diademed tapaculo is thought to breed between September and January. The one nest that has been described was a ball of moss and lichens.

Vocalization

The diademed tapaculo's song is a trill of varying intensity, pitch, and pace lasting up to 15 seconds https://www.xeno-canto.org/507914. Its scold call is a series of soft notes that lasts about a second https://www.xeno-canto.org/507918.

Status

The IUCN has assessed the diademed tapaculo as being of Least Concern. Though its population size has not been determined, it appears to be stable. The species occurs in several protected areas.

References

References

1. BirdLife International. (2024). "''Scytalopus schulenbergi''".
2. (January 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.1)".
3. Krabbe, N. and T. S. Schulenberg (2020). Diademed Tapaculo (''Scytalopus schulenbergi''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.diatap1.01 retrieved May 1, 2021