The Ecuadorian tapaculo or El Oro tapaculo is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Scytalopus, a genus of tapaculos. It is restricted to a small area in south-western Ecuador and was not described until 1997.
Region
Southwest Ecuador (western Andean foothills)
Typical Environment
Restricted to humid foothill and lower montane forests on the west slope of the Andes in southwestern Ecuador. It favors dense, shady understory with tangled thickets, fern and bamboo near streams and along steep ravines. The species also uses secondary forest and overgrown edges if sufficient ground and shrub cover remain. It tends to avoid open areas and heavily disturbed habitats. Local populations can persist in forest fragments when understory structure is intact.
Altitude Range
600–1750 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Ecuadorian tapaculo, this elusive understory bird was only described to science in 1997 and is named in honor of ornithologist Chandler Robbins. It is best detected by its distinctive, repetitive song rather than by sight. The species keeps its tail cocked and moves mouse-like through dense cover, rarely venturing into the open. Ongoing habitat loss in its small range is a primary concern.
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs within well-defined territories in dense understory. Nests are placed very low, often in banks or among roots, and constructed from moss and plant fibers. Pairs are presumed monogamous and defend territories year-round.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, insistent series of evenly spaced notes or short trills repeated for long periods, often at dawn and dusk. The song carries well through dense vegetation and is the primary means of detection. Calls include sharp chips and short rattles when alarmed.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed tapaculo with mostly uniform slate-gray to dark gray plumage; flanks and rump show brownish tones with fine barring. Feathers appear soft and matte, aiding camouflage in dim understory light. Females and immatures tend browner overall with more visible barring.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as insects, spiders, and their larvae, gleaned from leaf litter, mossy logs, and low vegetation. It probes crevices and pecks at the ground while moving with short, quick hops. Occasional consumption of small berries may occur but is minor compared to invertebrates. Foraging is typically solitary and methodical.
Preferred Environment
Dense, shaded understory with deep leaf litter, root tangles, and fallen branches. Often close to streams, ravines, or bamboo patches where moisture supports rich invertebrate communities. Edges of secondary forest are used if thick cover persists.
