Chusquea tapaculo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chusquea tapaculo |
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Scytalopus
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parkeri
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The Chusquea Tapaculo (Scytalopus parkeri) is a small, secretive bird that lives in the mountains of South America. It belongs to a family of birds called Rhinocryptidae, known for being quite shy and often hiding in thick bushes. You can find this special bird in the southern parts of Ecuador and the very northern areas of Peru.
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About the Chusquea Tapaculo
What Kind of Bird Is It?
The Chusquea Tapaculo is a unique bird. It is the only one of its kind, which means it's monotypic. This bird is also very closely related to another bird called Spillmann's Tapaculo. Think of them like close cousins in the bird world!
What Does It Look Like?
Chusquea Tapaculos are small birds. Male birds usually weigh between 21 and 24.4 grams (about 0.7 to 0.8 ounces). Females are a bit lighter, weighing from 18.8 to 22.3 grams (about 0.6 to 0.7 ounces).
Adult Chusquea Tapaculos are dark gray on their backs and lighter gray underneath. Their lower back and rump are brown. The lower part of their belly is yellowish. The sides of their body and the area near their tail are yellowish to cinnamon with black stripes.
Young Chusquea Tapaculos look a bit different. They are light brown on top with black stripes. Their undersides are dark with pale stripes.
Where Does It Live?
This bird lives only in southern Ecuador and the very northern part of Peru. You can find it in the East Andes and the Chilla Mountains of Ecuador. It also lives in the Cordillera del Cóndor, which is a mountain range on the border between Ecuador and Peru.
As its name suggests, the Chusquea Tapaculo loves to live among Chusquea bamboo plants. It also likes the thick undergrowth in humid montane forests. These are forests found in mountainous areas.
In Ecuador, these birds live at high elevations, from about 2,250 to 3,350 meters (7,380 to 11,000 feet) above sea level. In Peru, they are found up to 2,900 meters (9,500 feet) high.
How the Chusquea Tapaculo Lives
What Does It Eat?
We don't know a lot about what the Chusquea Tapaculo eats. However, it seems to mostly eat insects. Scientists are still learning about how it finds its food.
How Does It Build a Nest?
The Chusquea Tapaculo builds a special nest. It's shaped like a ball and made of moss. The inside is lined with soft, fine fibers. The bird places its nest in a natural hole in an earthen bank.
When they lay eggs, they usually have two at a time. At one nest, both the male and female birds helped to keep the eggs warm. While some suggest they might nest all year, most breeding in southeastern Ecuador happens between August and December.
What Does It Sound Like?
The male Chusquea Tapaculo has a distinct song. It's a series of 10 to 12 notes that start high, then drop in pitch, and finally level off [1]. They also have what sounds like an excited call [2].
Is the Chusquea Tapaculo Safe?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has looked at the Chusquea Tapaculo. They have assessed it as being of Least Concern. This means that the bird is not currently in danger of disappearing. A lot of the places where it lives are protected areas, like nature preserves. This helps keep their homes safe.
