Black-throated huet-huet

Pteroptochos tarnii

Photo by Jose Cañas (Flickr)

Common name:
black-throated huet-huet (en); huet-huet-de-garganta-preta (pt); tourco huet-huet (fr); hued-hued del sur (es); schwarzkehl-bürzelstelzer (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Rhinocryptidae

Range:
This species is found in Chile, from the Bío-Bío river down to Magallanes, and also in Andean slopes of western Argentina down to Patagonia.

Size:
These birds are 24-25 cm long and weigh 122-145 g.

Habitat:
The black-throated huet-huet is mostly found in moist temperate forests, particularly dense Notofagus dominated forests, but also in secondary forests and forest edges, scrublands, plantations, pastures and arable land. It is found from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
They feed mostly on small insects and other invertebrates, but also some berries and seeds.

Breeding:
Black-throated huet-huets breed in September-February. The nest is an open cup made of soft grasses, which can be placed at the end of a burrow dug into a bank, under the roots of a fallen tree, or occasionally high up in a hollow tree. There the female lays 2 eggs which are incubated for 22 days. The chicks fledge 21 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The population trend for this species cannot be determined based on the available information.

Puna tapaculo

Scytalopus simonsi

Photo by Jean-Philippe Paris (Worldwide Ornithological Travels)

Common name:
Puna tapaculo (en); tapaculo-de-Simons (pt); mérulaxe de Simons (fr); churrín de la Puna (es); Punatapaculo (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Rhinocryptidae

Range:
This South American species is found in the eastern slopes of the Andes, from the Vilcanota mountains, Cuzco, Peru, south to Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 10-12 cm long and weigh 15-18 g.

Habitat:
Puna tapaculos are found in elfin forests near the treeline, and in stunted trees and scrubs in tussock grass above the treeline. Also in Polylepis woodlands. They occur at altitudes of 2.900-4.300 m.

Diet:
They mainly eat insects, but also grass seeds.

Breeding:
They nest in a cup made of dry grasses, placed at the end of a burrow near the top of a steep bank. There the female lays 2 white eggs, which are incubated for about 16 days. The chicks fledge 15-20 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status -  LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively small breeding range, but is described as fairly common. This population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Chucao tapaculo

Scelorchilus rubecula

Photo by Arthur Grosset (Arthur Grosset's Birds)

Common name:
chucao tapaculo (en); tapaculo-de-peito-ruivo (pt); tourco rougegorge (fr); chucao (es); rotkehltapaculo (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Rhinocryptidae


Range:
This South American species is found in central and southern Chile and across the border into neighbouring regions of Argentina.


Size:
These birds are 16-18 cm long and weigh 35-43 g.


Habitat:
The chucao tapaculo is found in temperate forests from sea level up to an altitude f 1.500 m.


Diet:
They are omnivorous, eating invertebrates, fruits and seeds. They are known to eat various insects, including Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Dermaptera, Psocoptera and Anoplura, spiders, mites, and occasionally also snails, isopods and chilopods, as well as the fruits and seeds of various herbs and grasses.


Breeding:
Chucao tapaculos breed in September-February. The nest is placed in a cavity in a live tree or stump, or within the leaves of epiphytes, up to 2 m above the ground. There the female lays 1-3 white eggs which are incubated for 23 days. The chicks fledge 21 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as fairly common. The population trend for this species cannot be determined based on the available information, but the chucao tapaculo is not considered threatened at present.

Magellanic tapaculo

Scytalopus magellanicus

Photo by Jose Cañas (Flickriver)

Common name:
Magellanic tapaculo (en); tapaculo-de-Magalhães (pt); mérulaxe des Andes (fr); churrín del sur (es); Magellantapaculo (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Rhinocryptidae


Range:
This South American species is found from central Chile and western Argentina, south to Tierra del Fuego.


Size:
These birds are 10-12 cm long and weigh 11-15 g.


Habitat:
Magellanic tapaculos are found in densely vegetated areas, including moist forests, temperate forests, dry grasslands and scrublands, often near water and along rivers and streams. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 3.500 m.


Diet:
These birds are insectivorous, taking various small insects that they find on or near the ground.


Breeding:
The Magellanic tapaculo breeds in September-February. They build a domed nest made of moss, lichens and root fibres, that is placed in an tunnel excavated into sandy bank or wall. There the female lays 2-3 white eggs which are incubated for 19 days. The chicks fledge 11 days after hatching. Each pair may raise 2-3 broods per season.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as generally common to fairly common. There is no information regarding population trends.