Crested Gallito

About the Crested Gallito

The crested gallito (Rhinocrypta lanceolata) is a species of suboscine passerine bird in the tapaculo family Rhinocryptidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Rhinocrypta. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.

The crested gallito is the only species in its genus. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate Rhinocrypta lanceolata lanceolata and R. l. saturata, which was described in 1939. The crested gallito is genetically most closely related to the sandy gallito (Teledromas fuscus).

The crested gallito is 21 cm (8.3 in) long. The male weighs 59 to 63.5 g (2.08 to 2.24 oz) and the female 51.5 to 64 g (1.82 to 2.26 oz). It is an unusual tapaculo, having long crown feathers that it often erects as a crest and even bends forward. It also has a long tail that it cocks upward. The nominate subspecies' head is cinnamon with white streaks, its upper parts including wings and tail olive gray. The throat and chest are pale gray, the sides of the breast chestnut, and the lower belly olive gray. R. l. saturata is similar but all of the colors are darker.

The nominate subspecies of crested gallito ranges from northern... Wikipedia →