TAPACULO

  

Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.

TAPACULO

Specialty Definition: Tapaculo

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Tapaculos
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Rhynocryptidae
Genus
Pteroptochos
Scelorchilus
Rhinocrypta
Teledromas
Liosceles
Psilorhamphus
Merulaxis
Melanopareia
Eugralla
Myornis
Scytalopus
Acropternis 



The Tapaculos are a family of eight small passerine bird species found in  South America.

These are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed towards the head, and apparently the word tapaculo derives from the phrase "cover your bottom" in a local language. 

While the majority of the family are small blackish or brown birds there are some larger and more colourful species. They are best located and identified by their vocalisations.

They feed on insects, seeds and other soft plant material with their pointy bills, and will scratch on the ground like a pheasant.

Most species lay two or three white eggs in a covered environment, whether it be a burrow, hole in a tree or domed nest.

Species list:

Family: Rhinocryptidae 

Source: the above text is adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Tapaculo."
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Copyright ©  Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.