Chucao tapaculo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chucao tapaculo |
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| In Huerquehue National Park, Chile | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Scelorchilus
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| Species: |
rubecula
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The chucao tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula) is a small, shy bird that lives in the forests of Chile and parts of Argentina. It's known for its loud, clear song. This bird belongs to a family called Rhinocryptidae, which are often called "tapaculos" because they tend to stay hidden in dense plants.
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Meet the Chucao Tapaculo: A Forest Bird
The chucao tapaculo is a special type of bird. It has two main groups, called subspecies, that are slightly different from each other. One group, Scelorchilus rubecula rubecula, lives mostly in central Chile and nearby areas of Argentina. The other group, S. r. mochae, is found only on a small place called Mocha Island off the coast of Chile.
What Does the Chucao Tapaculo Look Like?
This bird is about 18.5 to 19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches) long. That's roughly the size of a large robin. Adult chucao tapaculos have dusky brown feathers on their backs. Their faces, throats, and upper chests are a reddish-brown color, which is called rufous. The rest of their chest is dark gray with white stripes. Their sides and underparts are reddish-brown to olive-brown.
Where Do Chucao Tapaculos Live?
Chucao tapaculos live in temperate and humid forests. You can find them from sea level all the way up to 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet) high in the mountains. They especially love to hide in thickets of Chusquea bamboo, which often grows inside Nothofagus forests. They can also live in forests that have grown back after being cut down.
How Chucao Tapaculos Live Their Lives
What Do Chucao Tapaculos Eat?
The chucao tapaculo mainly eats small creatures like arthropods, which include insects and spiders. They also eat seeds. These birds usually search for food on the ground, either by themselves or in pairs. They prefer to stay hidden in thick plants, but sometimes they will look for food in more open spots.
How Do Chucao Tapaculos Raise Their Young?
In Chile, chucao tapaculos lay their eggs in September or October. In Argentina, they lay eggs in November. They build a nest that looks like an open cup, using soft grass and tiny roots. This nest is placed at the end of a burrow, which can be up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) deep! They usually lay two or three eggs. Both the male and female parent help take care of the baby birds. These birds are known to be quite protective of their space against other tapaculo species in the forest.
What Does a Chucao Tapaculo Sound Like?
The chucao tapaculo has a very loud and clear song. It starts and ends with soft, purring sounds, but in the middle, it has four or five clearer, louder, and higher-pitched notes. You can listen to their song online here.
Is the Chucao Tapaculo in Danger?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has looked at the chucao tapaculo and decided it is a species of "Least Concern." This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. However, the number of these birds is thought to be going down. They seem to be affected when their forest homes get broken up into smaller pieces.
