Photo: Diana Carneiro Marques / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Marsh Tapaculo
Scytalopus iraiensis
Marsh Tapaculo (Scytalopus iraiensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
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The Marsh Tapaculo (Scytalopus iraiensis) is a member of the Rhinocryptidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 12.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Rhinocryptidae Tapaculos
- Genus Scytalopus
- Species iraiensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 12.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Marsh Tapaculo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Marsh Tapaculo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Marsh Tapaculo (Scytalopus iraiensis) belongs to the Rhinocryptidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA s Brazil.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 12.4 g, with a wing length of about 4.9 cm and a tail of around 4 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5,150 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Marsh Tapaculo?
The Marsh Tapaculo is a very small bird that weighs around 12.4 g.
Where does the Marsh Tapaculo live?
The Marsh Tapaculo is found across South America with a range covering SA s Brazil, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Marsh Tapaculo belong to?
The Marsh Tapaculo (Scytalopus iraiensis) belongs to the Rhinocryptidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Marsh Tapaculo eat?
The Marsh Tapaculo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Marsh Tapaculo migrate?
The Marsh Tapaculo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Marsh Tapaculo endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Marsh Tapaculo make?
1 real field recording of the Marsh Tapaculo — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Marsh Tapaculo's range?
The Marsh Tapaculo has a mapped global range of about 5,150 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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