Junin Tapaculo Scytalopus gettyae Scientific name definitions

Intrepid birders visiting central Peru long had been confused by a tapaculo with distinctive vocalizations. Dubbed by many the "Satipo Road Tapaculo", some equated this species with Large-footed Tapaculo (S. macropus), but, as most Scytalopus species are very similar in plumage, the identity of the "Satipo Road" species long remained shrouded in mystery. It only was in 2013 that Junin Tapaculo was described as a species. The known distribution of this species is remarkably small, in the upper Río Satipo drainage, although it is suspected to occur more widely. Junin Tapaculo occupies the understory of humid montane forests at 2400-3200 m, and is insectivorous. Otherwise the biology of this species is almost completely unknown.

c. 11 cm; 19·8–20·9 g. Adult (only males described) is overall dark fuscous to black; iris dark brown, legs dusky brown and bill black. Subadult similar, but has brownish barring on wings, tail and uppertail-coverts, and ochraceous-buff markings on flanks and belly. Adult is much smaller than sympatric S. femoralis and lacks extensive brown-and-black barring on flanks and rump; overall darker than S. acutirostris and S. parvirostris; shorter-tailed than S. latrans.

E slope of Andes in Junín (R Satipo Valley), C Peru.

Understorey of temperate humid montane forests at 2400–3200 m; generally found in dense, low secondary vegetation including shrubs, Chusquea bamboo thickets and ferns under forest canopy adjacent to primary forest, within 2 m of ground. Replaces S. femoralis at 2400–2500 m and is replaced by S. acutirostris at 2900–3200 m.

Diet insects, but no further details. Foraging behaviour undescribed, but presumably very similar to other Scytalopus.

Song a repeated series of 4–10 notes, gradually ascending over frequencies of 1·2–3·5 kHz; each series lasts 0·4–0·6 seconds, is repeated every 1–1·9 seconds and consists of a single loud high-frequency note (1·7–1·8 kHz) followed by 2–5 additional notes that start weaker in volume and lower in frequency (1·6 kHz), gradually become louder and higher in frequency with final note at higher frequency than initial loud note (2·4–3·6 kHz). Songs show individual variation in speed, amplitude and frequency. Also a sharp, descending call note, initially at 3·2–3·5 kHz, then decreasing to 1·8–1·9 kHz, and given every 2·2–8 seconds.

Four males in breeding condition collected in first week of Oct. No further information.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. Known from just two localities, with a total range estimated at 130 km2. Probably declining due to deforestation, although there are currently no estimates of population size (speculated on the basis of a similar species as potentially numbering 7500–12,000 individuals) or trends. Threats unknown.