Ocellated Tapaculo

The Ocellated Tapaculo occurs in the humid montane forests of northern Ecuador, particularly in areas with dense understory and abundant bamboo thickets between 2,500 and 3,000 meters. It is generally rare and highly secretive, often detected only by its loud, emphatic whistle, and typically forages alone or in pairs along the forest floor. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Andean range and a population that appears stable, though its dependence on intact forest understory makes it vulnerable to habitat degradation. Natural history observations highlight its striking black-and-white plumage, reddish throat, and strong response to playback, with individuals known to approach calls from considerable distances, though nesting behavior remains poorly documented.