Blackish Tapaculo

The Blackish Tapaculo occurs widely along both slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, where it inhabits dense understory of humid montane forests, Chusquea bamboo thickets, and Polylepis scrub typically between 1,500 and 4,000 meters. It is generally uncommon but locally present, often detected by its sharp, repetitive vocalizations rather than by sight, as it forages low to the ground for small arthropods. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Andean range and a stable population that benefits from its tolerance of secondary growth and fragmented habitats. Natural history observations highlight its cryptic plumage, terrestrial habits, and a globular nest structure placed in earthen banks, though much of its breeding biology remains poorly known.