Neblina Tapaculo Scytalopus altirostris Scientific name definitions

"Neblina" is the Spanish term for "mist", and rain and mist often are characteristic features of the very humid elfin forests where Neblina Tapaculo occurs. This species is found along the east slope of the Andes in northern Peru, at and near tree line. This is a small tapaculo, pale gray with light brown flanks and rump; the appearance is similar to that of several other species of Peruvian tapaculos, although there is no geographic overlap with the species that it most resembles, such as Ancash Tapaculo (Scytalopus affinis) or Puna Tapaculo (Scytalopus simonsi). The base of the bill of all species of Scytalopus is rather deep; the scientific name for this species, altirostris, reflects the fact that the base of the bill of this species is even deeper than is the case for similar species, but the difference is slight, and in any event the elevated base of the bill usually is concealed by feathers. Neblina Tapaculo forages for small invertebrates on or near the ground in a mosaic of bunch grass, shrubs and elfin forest, but otherwise its biology is essentially unknown.