Perija Tapaculo (Scytalopus perijanus) | Photos and ID

NTNear ThreatenedInvertebrates

UrbanCavity nestSmall · 19 g

ID tip

The Perijá tapaculo is a small bird, 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) in length with an average mass of 17 to 18 grams (about 0.6 oz). The bill averages 6.8 millimetres (0.27 inches) long, 2.9 mm (0.11 in) wide, and 3.5 mm (0.14 in) high. The legs are about 21 mm (0.83 in) long. The Perijá tapaculo's tarsus averages 21.1 millimetres (0.83 in) long. The wings measure 57.4 mm (2.26 in) on average and the tail is about 40 mm (1.6 in) long with between 8 and 12 rectrices. The forehead, lores, crown, mantle, and scapular area are a neutral grey colour. There is a brown spot on the nape.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Perija Tapaculo

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 9 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is February, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Perija Tapaculo

Regular range

The map shades 2 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Colombia Venezuela

About the Perija Tapaculo

The Perijá tapaculo is a species of passerine bird in the family Rhinocryptidae (tapaculos). Endemic to the Serranía del Perijá mountain range on the Colombia–Venezuela border, the Perijá tapaculo is found at altitudes of 1,600–3,225 metres. Its body is 10 to 12 centimetres long and its tail is about 4 cm (1.6 in) long. Specimens have long been stored in museums, but the species was described only in 2015 based on sixteen specimens found between July 2008 and February 2009. It is considered vulnerable to extinction.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Caracas TapaculoScytalopus caracaeThe Caracas tapaculo is 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long and weighs approximately 24 g (0.85 oz). Chusquea TapaculoScytalopus parkeriMale chusquea tapaculos weigh 21 to 24.4 g (0.74 to 0.86 oz) and females 18.8 to 22.3 g (0.66 to 0.79 oz).

Puna TapaculoScytalopus simonsiThe puna tapaculo is 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) long.

Learn the Perija Tapaculo in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.