Chucao tapaculo

{{Speciesbox | name = Chucao tapaculo | image = Scelorchilus rubecula.JPG | image_caption = In Huerquehue National Park, Chile | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=''Scelorchilus rubecula'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T22703437A130329453 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22703437A130329453.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Scelorchilus | species = rubecula | authority = ([[Heinrich von Kittlitz|Kittlitz]], 1830) | range_map = Scelorchilus rubecula map.svg }}

The '''chucao tapaculo''' ('''''Scelorchilus rubecula''''') is a species of [[bird]] in the family [[Rhinocryptidae]]. It is found in central Chile and adjacent Argentina; it has also been recorded in Chile's [[Magallanes Province]].<ref name=IOC11.1>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldbirdnames.org/ |title=IOC World Bird List (v 11.1) |last1=Gill |first1= F. |last2=Donsker|first2=D.|last3=Rasmussen |first3=P. |date=January 2021 |access-date=January 14, 2021 }}</ref><ref name=Cárcamo>Cárcamo, J. ''et al.'' (2008) First record of ''Scelorchilus rubecula'' (Kittlitz, 1830) (Rhinocryptidae) in Magallanes. ''Anales del Instituto de la Patagonia'' 36(2):79-81.</ref>

==Taxonomy and systematics== The chucao tapaculo has two subspecies. The nominate ''Scelorchilus rubecula rubecula'' is primarily found in central Chile from the [[Biobío Region]] south to the [[Aysén Region]] and the adjoining parts of Argentina. It has occasionally been recorded further north and once in the far southern Magallanes Province. The other subspecies, ''S. r. mochae'', is found only on [[Mocha Island]] off the Chilean coast.<ref name=CHTA-BOW>Krabbe, N. and T. S. Schulenberg (2020). Chucao Tapaculo (''Scelorchilus rubecula''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.chutap1.01</ref><ref name=Cárcamo/>

==Description== The chucao tapaculo is {{convert|18.5|to|19|cm|in|abbr=on}} long. Three specimens of unknown sex weighed {{convert|42.6|to|45.4|g|oz|abbr=on}} and a single male specimen weighed {{convert|53.7|g|oz|abbr=on}}. The adult is dusky brown above; much of the face and the throat and upper breast are rufous. The rest of the breast is dark gray with white bars and the flanks and vent are reddish brown to olive brown.<ref name=CHTA-BOW/>

==Distribution and habitat== The chucao tapaculo occurs from sea level to {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on}} elevation. Its [[habitat]] is [[temperate forest|temperate]] and humid forests. It is typically found in ''[[Chusquea]]'' bamboo thickets within ''[[Nothofagus]]'' forest but also inhabits secondary woodland.<ref name=CHTA-BOW/><ref>Amico, G.C. ''et al.'' (2008) Spatial structure and scale-dependent microhabitat use of endemic "tapaculos" (Rhinocryptidae) in a temperate forest of southern South America. ''Ecología Austral'' 18:169-180.</ref>

==Behavior== ===Feeding=== The chucao tapaculo's diet is dominated by [[arthropod]]s and seeds. It forages on the ground alone or in pairs. It usually remains hidden in dense foliage but occasionally feeds in more open areas.<ref name=CHTA-BOW/><ref>Correa, A. ''et al.'' (1990) Diet of the Chucao (''Scelorchilus rubecula''), a terrestrial Passerine endemic to the temperate rain forest of austral South America. ''Revista Chilena de Historia Natural'' 63: 197-202.</ref>

===Breeding=== In Chile the chucao tapaculo lays eggs in September to October and in Argentina, November. The open cup nest is made of soft grass and rootlets built at the end of a burrow up to {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep. Two to three eggs are laid. Both the male and female tend nestlings.<ref name=CHTA-BOW/> This species showed a pattern of aggressiveness and territoriality towards the other species of tapaculos in the forest of southern Chile.<ref>Correa, A. & Figueroa, J.A. (2003) Observations of aggressiveness and territoriality among species of Rhinocryptidae in a rain forest fragment in Southern Chile. ''Ornitologia Neotropical'' 14: 121-125.</ref>

===Vocalization=== The chucao tapaculo has a loud song beginning and ending with soft churrs surrounding four or five clearer, louder, and higher pitched notes [https://www.xeno-canto.org/508118].<ref name=CHTA-BOW/>

==Status== The [[IUCN]] has assessed the chucao tapaculo as of Least Concern, though the population is thought to be decreasing.<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" /> It seems vulnerable to [[habitat fragmentation|fragmentation of its habitat]].<ref>Willson, M.F. (2006) Loss of habitat connectivity hinders pair formation and juvenile dispersal of Chucao Tapaculos in Chilean rainforest. ''The Condor'' 106(1):166-171.</ref><ref>Wilson, M.F. & Pendleton, G.W. (2008) Survival of Chucaos (''Scelorchilus rubecula'') in rainforest fragments on Isla Chiloé, Chile. ''Boletín Chileno de Ornitología'' 14(1):2-7.</ref><ref>Wilson, M.F. (2006) Chucaos in Chiloé.''Boletín Chileno de Ornitología'' 12:40-44.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/chucao-tapaculo-scelorchilus-rubecula Chucao Tapaculo in IBC (Internet Bird Collection]. *[http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Scelorchilus-rubecula Chucao Tapaculo sounds in Xenocanto].

[[Category:Scelorchilus|chucao tapaculo]] [[Category:Birds of Chile]] [[Category:Birds of Argentina]] [[Category:Birds described in 1830|chucao tapaculo]] [[Category:Taxa named by Heinrich von Kittlitz]] [[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]] [[Category:Fauna of the Valdivian temperate forests]]