Spillmann’s Tapaculo
Scytalopus spillmanni
Spillmann's Tapaculo (Scytalopus spillmanni) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo (Scytalopus spillmanni) is a member of the Rhinocryptidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 23.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Rhinocryptidae Tapaculos
- Genus Scytalopus
- Species spillmanni
Quick facts
- Weight
- 23.5 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo (Scytalopus spillmanni) is a member of the Rhinocryptidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA Colombia to Ecuador.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 23.5 g, with a wing length of about 5.9 cm and a tail of around 4.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 86,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Spillmann’s Tapaculo?
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo is a small bird that weighs around 23.5 g.
Where does the Spillmann’s Tapaculo live?
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo is found across South America with a range covering SA Colombia to Ecuador, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Spillmann’s Tapaculo belong to?
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo (Scytalopus spillmanni) belongs to the Rhinocryptidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Spillmann’s Tapaculo eat?
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Spillmann’s Tapaculo migrate?
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Spillmann’s Tapaculo endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Spillmann’s Tapaculo make?
1 real field recording of the Spillmann’s Tapaculo — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Spillmann’s Tapaculo's range?
The Spillmann’s Tapaculo has a mapped global range of about 86,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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