Rock Tapaculo Scytalopus petrophilus Scientific name definitions

Just one of a suite of southeast Brazilian tapaculos to be described recently, as a result of detailed research into their vocalizations and genetic make-up in particular, the Rock Tapaculo is the latest of these discoveries to be announced. Its closest relative appears to be the—also recently described—Diamantina Tapaculo (Scytalopus diamantinensis), from which it chiefly differs in vocal aspects, but it is also broadly similar in morphology to the Planalto Tapaculo (Scytalopus pachecoi) and the Brasilia Tapaculo (Scytalopus novacapitalis), especially in the paler gray underparts, and black-and-buff barred flanks and ventral underparts, which characters all of these species largely share. The Rock Tapaculo is apparently almost endemic to the southern Espinhaço mountains and elsewhere in Minas Gerais, where it occupies forested areas between 900 and 2100 m elevation.

c. 10·5 cm; 11–16 g. A typical inland phenotype with rather pale grey plumage and largely ochraceous flanks. Crown and upperparts , including upperwing and tail, are dark grey, uppertail-coverts yellowish-brown to brownish-yellow with black barring; lores, ear-coverts, chin and throat grey, underparts grey, belly whitish but often with variable amount of light grey admixed, flanks, thighs and undertail-coverts black-barred yellow-brown to brownish-yellow; iris dark brown; bill black with grey tip; legs and feet brownish-cream. Distinguished from S. novacapitalis by darker chin, throat and breast; from S. pachecoi by more contrast between whitish abdomen and grey chin to breast, and less densely barred vent. Sexes similar. Juvenile has varying amounts of dark-barred brownish feathers.

Patchily distributed within Espinhaço and Mantiqueira Ranges of Minas Gerais and N São Paulo (7 Souza, R.D.R. (2013). Primeiro registro do tapaculo-serrano Scytalopus petrophilus para o Estado de São Paulo. Atualidades Orn. 175: 12–13. In Portuguese. Close ) (and near border with Rio de Janeiro), in E Brazil.

Inhabits varied habitats, from open, rocky shrub associations (known in Brazil as campos rupestres) high in mountains to high-elevation marshes (of Chusquea attenuata, C. pinifolia, Cortaderia sp., Tibouchina sp.) and taller forest in steep‑walled valleys to second growth within semi‑deciduous woodland; also persists in partially deforested and burnt areas in mountains with many invasive plants, especially the fern Pteridium aquilinum, which provides dense cover. Known at elevations between 900 m and 2100 m.

Diet very poorly known; stomachs of five specimens contained insect fragments, but presumably also takes other small arthropods, using brief picks and probes into leaf litter. Forages mostly on ground, alone or in pairs, hopping slowly among, or scuttles quickly over, rocks and crevices in dense vegetation of campos rupestres and in tangled understorey of cloud forests.

Song a protracted (often longer than one minute) fast repetition of one simple note, series accelerating towards end; most similar to songs of S. pachecoi and S. diamantinensis. Occasionally given from up to 2·5 m above ground, especially in response to playback, mostly from shortly after sunrise until c. 08:00 hours, then occasionally during remainder of day, particularly if cloudy, with another peak around dusk, especially on clear days. Contact call a diagnostic “pzeen”, shorter and more downslurred than that of those two species, and very unlike longer “tcheeep” (sometimes followed by 1–2 lower, sharper notes) given by S. novacapitalis.

Specimens with well-developed gonads in Sept to early Dec, with juveniles collected in Feb and Mar, and song most frequently heard between Aug and Oct. No other information.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: present in Central Brazilian Hills and Tablelands EBA, within an overall range estimated at 83,500 km². Status not well known; has very patchy distribution, and probably locally not uncommon, albeit decreasing. Recorded from several protected areas including RPPN Serra do Caraça and Serra do Cipó National Park. Range may extend beyond borders of Minas Gerais into Rio de Janeiro; the species is already been discovered in neighbouring São Paulo (where it is syntopic with S. speluncae).