Perija Tapaculo

Scytalopus perijanus

Near ThreatenedRareInvertebratesCavity nestSmall · 19 g

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.

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.

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in February · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Perija Tapaculo for real

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