Rhinocryptidae – Tapaculos

The Rhinocryptidae are a passerine family of tapaculos and allies that are small suboscine passerines with numerous species, found mainly in South America and with the highest diversity in the Andean regions. Three species (Chocó, Tacarcuna, and the Silvery-fronted) are found in southern Central America.

The tapaculos were traditionally placed in a distinct family Rhinocryptidae – an alternative family name Pteroptochidae, has been used historically. Recent research and analysis of mt and nDNA sequence data, has suggested that the tapaculos might warrant being merged into the Formicariidae as tribe Rhinocryptini, as they are closer to the antthrushes than either is to the true antpittas.

They are small to medium-sized birds, with a total length ranging from 10cm to 24cm. These are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed towards the head, and the name tapaculo possibly derives from Spanish for ‘cover your behind’. Another possible explanation is that White-throated Tapaculo, or simply tapaculo, which is an onomatopoeic reference to its commonly heard song.

While the majority of the family are small blackish or brown birds there are some larger and more colourful species. All tapaculos are shy and skulking birds that frequently stay low in dense vegetation, even the larger, colourful species, and this renders them difficult to see. They are best located and – in the case of Scytalopus species, identified by their vocalisations. It has been suggested that some of the ground-hugging species may no longer even be capable of full flight.

Magdalena Tapaculo Scytalopus rodriguezi

Sandy Gallito Teledromas fuscus

They feed on insects, seeds and other soft plant material with their pointy bills, and will scratch on the ground like a pheasant. Most species lay two or three white eggs in a covered location, whether it be a burrow, a hole in a tree, or a domed nest.

Narino Tapaculo Scytalopus vicinior

The species-limits within the genus Scytalopus have historically been difficult to determine. The birds are highly cryptic, and identification using visual features often is impossible. Vocal and biochemical data is typically needed to clarify the taxonomic status of the various populations. Several new species have been described in recent years (e.g. S. whitneyi and S. frankeae from Peru). The Brazilian taxa are similarly complex with several recently described species and considerable confusion surrounding the use of the scientific name Scytalopus speluncae.

Silvery-fronted Tapaculo Scytalopus argentifrons

Additionally, still undescribed species are known to exist, while some species as currently defined actually may include several species (e.g. the southern population of the Large-footed Tapaculo may represent a yet undescribed species). The confusing situation is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that only ten species were recognized in this genus in 1970, while the figure now is more than four times as high.

Crested Gallito Rhinocrypta lanceolata

Some species have highly localised distributions, and being poor fliers, they easily become isolated in small populations. BirdLife International currently (2007) consider one species vulnerable Scytalopus panamensis, three species endangered (S. iraiensis, S. rodriguezi, S. robbinsi), and two species critically endangered Eleoscytalopus psychopompus & Merulaxis stresemanni. The two critically endangered species are restricted to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, and were only recently rediscovered after several years without any records.