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.
