Ocellated Tapaculo
Acropternis orthonyx
The Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx) is a rare tapaculo found in 4 countries, weighing about 90 g. The ocellated tapaculo is a large bird found in the northern Andes in South America.
About the Ocellated Tapaculo
The ocellated tapaculo is a large bird found in the northern Andes in South America. It is a highly distinctive tapaculo; traditionally united with its closest relatives in the Rhinocryptidae, this family is paraphyletic with the Formicariidae (ground-antbirds) but instead of merging the tapaculos with the ground-antbird family, recent sources tend to split the antpittas from the Formicariidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Ocellated Tapaculo sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Peru.
When to see it
The Ocellated Tapaculo can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Ocellated Tapaculo?
- 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). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Ocellated Tapaculo?
- The Ocellated Tapaculo is a medium sized bird weighing about 90 g.
- Where can you see an Ocellated Tapaculo?
- The Ocellated Tapaculo occurs in 4 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
- What does an Ocellated Tapaculo sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Ocellated Tapaculo on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an Ocellated Tapaculo?
- The Ocellated Tapaculo is most easily confused with the Black-throated Huet-huet, the White-crowned Tapaculo and the Pale-bellied Tapaculo.
- Is the Ocellated Tapaculo endangered?
- The Ocellated Tapaculo is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Ocellated Tapaculo for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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