White-browed tapaculo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids White-browed tapaculo
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Rhinocryptidae
Genus:	Scytalopus
Species:	S. superciliaris
Binomial name
Scytalopus superciliaris Cabanis, 1883
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The white-browed tapaculo (Scytalopus superciliaris) is a small, shy bird that lives in the mountains of northwestern Argentina. It belongs to a bird family called Rhinocryptidae, known as tapaculos. These birds are often hard to spot because they like to hide in thick bushes.

Meet the White-Browed Tapaculo

What Does a White-Browed Tapaculo Look Like?

This bird is about 10.5 centimeters (about 4 inches) long, which is quite small! The most noticeable thing about it is its long, white stripe above its eye, like a white eyebrow. This is where it gets its name! Its throat and upper chest are also white.

The rest of its body is mostly grayish-brown on its back and wings. Its lower chest is gray. The area around its tail feathers is brown with thin stripes. Its sides, belly, and the feathers under its tail are a light olive-brown with black stripes.

There are two slightly different types, or subspecies, of the white-browed tapaculo. One type, called S. s. santabarbarae, is a bit darker. Its upper parts are more reddish-brown, and its underparts are blackish-brown instead of gray.

Where Does the White-Browed Tapaculo Live?

The white-browed tapaculo is found only in northwestern Argentina. The main type lives from the Jujuy Province south to the northern part of La Rioja Province. The darker type, S. s. santabarbarae, mostly lives in the Santa Bárbara Mountains in Jujuy. It might also be found in Salta Province.

These birds prefer to live in the thick plants under trees like Alnus (alder) and Polylepis (paperbark trees). They often choose shady, rocky areas in forests. You can find them at high elevations, from about 1,500 to 3,350 meters (about 4,900 to 11,000 feet) above sea level.

Life and Habits of the Tapaculo

What Do White-Browed Tapaculos Eat?

Scientists don't have much information yet about what the white-browed tapaculo eats or how it finds its food. They are still studying this part of its life!

Reproduction: How Do They Raise Their Young?

White-browed tapaculos usually lay their eggs between October and December. Sometimes, they might start as early as September. They typically lay two eggs.

Scientists have found a few of their nests. These nests are shaped like open cups and are built at the end of short tunnels. These tunnels can be about 0.3 to 0.5 meters (about 1 to 1.6 feet) long.

What Does a White-Browed Tapaculo Sound Like?

The song of the white-browed tapaculo is quite unique. It starts with a single, buzzy note. After a short pause, it follows with a long, drawn-out "churr" sound that goes down in pitch. The bird repeats this song for several minutes at a steady pace. You can listen to its song online to hear it yourself! [1]

Conservation Status

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has looked at the white-browed tapaculo and decided it is a species of "Least Concern." This means that even though it lives in a specific area, it seems to be quite common there. It also lives in at least two, and possibly three, national parks, which helps protect its habitat.