The white-throated tapaculo is a species of bird in the family Rhinocryptidae. It is endemic to Chile.
Region
Central Chile
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Chilean matorral from roughly Coquimbo south to Maule, favoring dense, thorny scrub and dry ravines. It inhabits semi-arid to Mediterranean shrublands with abundant leaf litter and tangled understory. Birds keep close to the ground, using brush piles, cactus thickets, and rocky slopes for cover. It may also occur in secondary growth and edges of agricultural lands where dense hedgerows persist.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A secretive ground-dweller of Chile’s matorral scrub, the white-throated tapaculo is more often heard than seen. Pairs often perform loud duets that carry far through dense brush. It frequently keeps its tail cocked and dashes between cover rather than flying long distances. Nests are typically placed low in dense vegetation or at the end of short earthen tunnels.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found as solitary birds or in pairs, maintaining territories year-round. Pairs communicate with antiphonal duets and keep in close contact while foraging. Nesting occurs low in dense cover or in short earthen burrows ending in a grass-lined chamber.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, clear series of whistles that often accelerates and rises slightly in pitch. Pairs frequently duet, producing an alternating, far-carrying sequence that helps them maintain contact in dense scrub.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with fine darker mottling, contrasting with a clean white throat and pale grey breast. The belly and flanks show rufous to buff tones with dark barring on the sides. Feathers are soft and dense, aiding its skulking lifestyle in brushy habitats.
Diet
Primarily feeds on ground-dwelling arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and larvae taken from leaf litter and shallow soil. It occasionally takes small seeds or berries, especially in drier seasons when insects are less available. Foraging is deliberate, with frequent pauses and short dashes between cover.
Preferred Environment
Forages on or near the ground beneath dense shrubs, cacti, and hedgerows. It favors areas with ample leaf litter and fallen branches that provide both prey and concealment.
