Bird Guide

Ocellated Tapaculo vs Pale-bellied Tapaculo

Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx)

Ocellated Tapaculo

Acropternis orthonyx

Medium90 gForest

This passerine averages 8.3-8.7 in (21–22 cm) in length and between 2.8 and 3.5 oz (80 and 100 gram). The bird is mostly black with large white spots, a brown flank, and a reddish head and throat. A call, apparently given by birds to announce their presence to conspecifics, is described as "loud, emphatic WHEEUW! whistle" which as it seems can be heard from a long distance. It is usually encountered in pairs or alone, hopping through bamboo along the forest floor. Preferring to stay close to the ground, it is more often heard than seen.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Ocellated Tapaculo
Recorded by Juan Carlos Albero · Song · Reserva Hidrográfica, Forestal, y Parque Ecológico Río Blanco, El Desquite - La Navarra, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia · CC0
Photo: joel rosenthal from miami, florida, usa · CC BY 2.0
Pale-bellied Tapaculo (Scytalopus griseicollis)

Pale-bellied Tapaculo

Scytalopus griseicollis

Small18 gForest

The pale-bellied tapaculo is 10 to 11.5 cm (3.9 to 4.5 in) long. The nominate subspecies weighs 16.6 to 19.3 g (0.59 to 0.68 oz). One male S. g. morenoi weighed 17 g (0.60 oz) and two male S. g. gilesi 17.5 and 18 g (0.62 and 0.63 oz). The nominate adult is mostly gray, lighter on the underside. Its back and wings are brownish gray. The rump, flanks, and vent are orange-brown. S. g. gelesi has a darker back with less brown and darker (slate gray) underparts. S. g. morenoi has a brown mantle. Voice: The songs of pale-bellied tapaculo subspecies differ somewhat, but all are a trill, sometimes preceded by a single note . The scold call is also a trill .

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: GERMAN LEONEL SARMIENTO CRUZ · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Ocellated Tapaculo and Pale-bellied Tapaculo.