Photo: joel rosenthal from miami, florida, usa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Ocellated Tapaculo
Acropternis orthonyx
Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx) is a member of the Rhinocryptidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 89.9 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 Acropternis
- Species orthonyx
Quick facts
- Weight
- 89.9 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Rhinocryptidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Ocellated Tapaculo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Ocellated Tapaculo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx) belongs to the Rhinocryptidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA nw Venezuela to nw Peru.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 89.9 g, with a wing length of about 9.5 cm and a tail of around 8.9 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 113,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Ocellated Tapaculo?
The Ocellated Tapaculo is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 89.9 g.
Where does the Ocellated Tapaculo live?
The Ocellated Tapaculo is found across South America with a range covering SA nw Venezuela to nw Peru, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Ocellated Tapaculo belong to?
The Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx) belongs to the Rhinocryptidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Ocellated Tapaculo eat?
The Ocellated Tapaculo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Ocellated Tapaculo migrate?
The Ocellated Tapaculo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Ocellated 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 Ocellated Tapaculo make?
1 real field recording of the Ocellated 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 Ocellated Tapaculo's range?
The Ocellated Tapaculo has a mapped global range of about 113,000 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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Guides for this bird
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