Loja tapaculo


The Loja tapaculo is a species of bird in the family Rhinocryptidae that the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society accepted as a new species in July 2020. It had been classified as a subspecies of paramo tapaculo. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.

Taxonomy and systematics

The taxonomy of the Loja tapaculo is complicated. Scytalopus canus and S. opacus were originally thought to be subspecies of either S. magellanicus or S. unicolor. Both were eventually reclassified as species, and what is now the Loja tapaculo was considered a subspecies of paramo tapaculo. A detailed study of these several related taxa found significant vocal, genetic, and morphological differences among them. Based on these data,
the South American Classification Committee of the AOS elevated S. opacus androstictus to species status in July 2020. The International Ornithological Congress followed suit in January 2021 and the Clements taxonomy in August 2021.

Description

The Loja tapaculo is approximately long. Males weigh and females. Males are very dark gray above and medium to dark gray on most of the underside. The flanks and vent area are tawny to dark brown with darker barring. Most males also have white primary coverts that show as a patch when the wing is folded. The female is brown above and pale to medium gray on most of the underside. Like the male it has brownish flanks and vent area. The juveniles are highly variable, but generally have shades of brown and barring above and shades of gray and buff below with or without barring.

Distribution and habitat

The Loja tapaculo has a very limited range on the east slope of the Andes in Zamora-Chinchipe Province of Ecuador and the northern part of Peru's Department of Cajamarca. It generally inhabits shrub and scrublands at and above treeline but can also be found in Polylepis woodland and high elevation humid forest. Its elevation range is typically between. It is believed to be sedentary.

Status

The IUCN has not assessed the Loja tapaculo.