Magellanic tapaculo

The Magellanic tapaculo is an intriguing small bird native to southern South America. It belongs to the Scytalopus genus and was once grouped with the Andean tapaculo. However, it is now recognized as its own species, though regional variations might eventually classify some populations as subspecies.

This bird is small, measuring just 10 to 12 cm in length, and has a wren-like appearance. Its dark-grey feathers are accented with chestnut on the flanks, undertail, and wings. Some individuals even have a distinctive silvery-white patch on their crown. The Magellanic tapaculo is also known for its loud, staccato, and repetitive song, making it easy to identify by sound.

These birds can be found from Tierra del Fuego up to the Valparaíso Region in Chile and the San Juan Province in Argentina. Interestingly, Charles Darwin collected a specimen in the Falkland Islands in the 19th century, but there have been no confirmed sightings there since. The Magellanic tapaculo thrives in dense, ground-level vegetation within forests and woodlands, especially those featuring Chusquea bamboo. These birds prefer to stay on the ground and are more likely to run than fly.