Photo: Haplochromis / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Chucao Tapaculo
Scelorchilus rubecula
Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula) is a member of the Rhinocryptidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 56.7 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 Scelorchilus
- Species rubecula
Quick facts
- Weight
- 56.7 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Chucao Tapaculo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Chucao Tapaculo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula) is a species of bird in the Rhinocryptidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA Chile and Argentina.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 56.7 g, with a wing length of about 7 cm and a tail of around 6.6 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 272,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Chucao Tapaculo?
The Chucao Tapaculo is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 56.7 g.
Where does the Chucao Tapaculo live?
The Chucao Tapaculo is found across South America with a range covering SA Chile and Argentina, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Chucao Tapaculo belong to?
The Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula) belongs to the Rhinocryptidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Chucao Tapaculo eat?
The Chucao Tapaculo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Chucao Tapaculo migrate?
The Chucao Tapaculo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Chucao 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 Chucao Tapaculo make?
1 real field recording of the Chucao 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 Chucao Tapaculo's range?
The Chucao Tapaculo has a mapped global range of about 272,000 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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