Tapaculou
The tapaculou is found in South and Central America. It inhabits the dense forest and the thick undergrowth of the brushland. The fully grown tapaculou reaches a length of 5 to 10 inches (11 to 25 centimeters). The plumage of the tapaculou is primarily dark gray or brown with reddish-brown or black-and-white bars on the bottom feathers. One of the most distinctive features of the tapaculou is a flap which covers the nostrils. The tapaculou has a stout body, short, rounded wings and large feet and legs.
The tapaculou is a ground-dwelling bird. It pokes along the dense vegetation, feeding on insects, spiders, and plant matter. When feeding, the tapaculou is more often heard than seen. While its feathering acts as a camouflage, its loud voice almost always gives away its location.
The nest of the tapaculou is most commonly built on or near the ground. At times, the nest is placed a few feet (about one meter) off the ground in the undergrowth. Other species dig holes called burrows. Most nests are dome-shaped or cup-shaped and have a small side entrance.
After a male and female have mated, the female lays two to four large white eggs in her nest. The parents take turns incubating the eggs. They do this by gently sitting on the eggs, using the heat from their bodies to warm them. The length of the incubation period is unknown. The length of time the baby birds remain in the nest, called the nestling period, is also unknown.
The tapaculou has a loud voice. Some species, such as the bristlefronts and huet-huets, are somewhat musical, producing a sound some people find pleasing. Other tapaculous are not as musical, producing a series of similar notes over and over.
Some of the 29 species of tapaculos are: Name Genus/species Black-throated huet-huet Pteroptochos tarnii Brasilia tapaculo Scytalopus novacapitalis Chestnut-throated huet-huet Pterooptochos castaneus Crested gallito Rhinocrypta lanceolata Ocellated tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx Slaty tapaculo Merulaxis ater Stresemann's bristle-front Merulaxis stresemanni
Source: Encyclopedia of Animals
The tapaculou is a ground-dwelling bird. It pokes along the dense vegetation, feeding on insects, spiders, and plant matter. When feeding, the tapaculou is more often heard than seen. While its feathering acts as a camouflage, its loud voice almost always gives away its location.
The nest of the tapaculou is most commonly built on or near the ground. At times, the nest is placed a few feet (about one meter) off the ground in the undergrowth. Other species dig holes called burrows. Most nests are dome-shaped or cup-shaped and have a small side entrance.
After a male and female have mated, the female lays two to four large white eggs in her nest. The parents take turns incubating the eggs. They do this by gently sitting on the eggs, using the heat from their bodies to warm them. The length of the incubation period is unknown. The length of time the baby birds remain in the nest, called the nestling period, is also unknown.
The tapaculou has a loud voice. Some species, such as the bristlefronts and huet-huets, are somewhat musical, producing a sound some people find pleasing. Other tapaculous are not as musical, producing a series of similar notes over and over.
Some of the 29 species of tapaculos are: Name Genus/species Black-throated huet-huet Pteroptochos tarnii Brasilia tapaculo Scytalopus novacapitalis Chestnut-throated huet-huet Pterooptochos castaneus Crested gallito Rhinocrypta lanceolata Ocellated tapaculo Acropternis orthonyx Slaty tapaculo Merulaxis ater Stresemann's bristle-front Merulaxis stresemanni
Source: Encyclopedia of Animals
posted by James at 1:10 PM
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