Scytalopus gonzagai
The Boa Nova Tapaculo (Scytalopus gonzagai) is a small, cryptic songbird, recently described to science in 2014, measuring approximately 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) in length and weighing around 17-18 grams. Its plumage is predominantly dark slate-grey, subtly paler on the underparts, with characteristic dark brown and rufous barring on its flanks, a key identification feature shared by many tapaculo species. Due to its secretive nature, remaining hidden within dense undergrowth, visual identificati...
Found exclusively in the dense, humid understory of montane Atlantic Forest, particularly cloud forest and bamboo thickets, at elevations typically between 1,000 and 2,000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small invertebrates such as insects and spiders, which it gleans from the forest floor and low vegetation.
The Boa Nova Tapaculo is a highly secretive and terrestrial bird, primarily active during the day, spending most of its time hopping and running through dense vegetation close to the ground. It forages by gleaning small invertebrates from leaf litter and low-lying plants, rarely venturing into th...
The Boa Nova Tapaculo is endemic to a highly restricted range within the southern Serra da Mantiqueira mountains of southeastern Brazil. Its known distribution spans parts of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo states. This species is a year-round resident within its specific montane Atla...
Endangered
- The Boa Nova Tapaculo was only formally described to science in 2014, making it one of the more recent avian discoveries in the Neotropics. - It is named after Dr. Luiz Pedreira Gonzaga, a prominent Brazilian ornithologist, in recognition of his significant contributions to Neotropical ornithol...