The tapaculos are a family (Rhinocryptidae) of small passerine bird species found in South America. Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria Placozoa Subregnum Bilateria  Acoelomorpha  Orthonectida  Rhombozoa  Myxozoa  Superphylum Deuterostomia     Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascideiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders Many - see section below. ... Families Many, see text A passerine is a bird of the giant order Passeriformes. ... Families Many, see text A passerine is a bird of the giant order Passeriformes. ... Orders Many - see section below. ... In biology, a species is, loosely speaking, a group of related organisms that share a more or less distinctive form and are capable of interbreeding. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ...

These are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed towards the head, and the name tapaculo derives from the Spanish for "cover your behind".

While the majority of the family are small blackish or brown birds there are some larger and more colourful species. They are best located and identified by their vocalisations.

They feed on insects, seeds and other soft plant material with their pointy bills, and will scratch on the ground like a pheasant. Genera Ithaginis Catreus Rheinartia Crossoptilon Lophura Argusianus Pucrasia Syrmaticus Chrysolophus Phasianus † See also partridge, quail Pheasants are a group of large birds in the order Galliformes. ...

Most species lay two or three white eggs in a covered environment, whether it be a burrow, hole in a tree or domed nest.

Species list:

Family Rhinocryptidae

• Genus Pteroptochos, the huet-huets
  • Black-throated Huet-huet, Pteroptochos tarnii
  • Chestnut-throated Huet-huet, Pteroptochos castaneus
• Genus Pteroptochos
  • Moustached Turca, Pteroptochos megapodius
• Genus Scelorchilus
  • White-throated Tapaculo, Scelorchilus albicollis
  • Chucao Tapaculo, Scelorchilus rubecula
• Genus Rhinocrypta, the gallitos
  • Crested Gallito, Rhinocrypta lanceolata
  • Sandy Gallito, Teledromas fuscus
• Genus Liosceles
  • Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Liosceles thoracicus
• Genus Melanopareia, the crescent-chests
  • Collared Crescent-chest, Melanopareia torquata
  • Olive-crowned Crescent-chest, Melanopareia maximiliani
  • Elegant Crescent-chest, Melanopareia elegans
  • Maranon Crescent-chest, Melanopareia maranonica
• Genus Psilorhamphus
  • Spotted Bamboowren, Psilorhamphus guttatus
• Genus Merulaxis, the bristlefronts
  • Slaty Bristlefront, Merulaxis ater
  • Stresemann's Bristlefront, Merulaxis stresemanni
• Genus Eugralla
  • Ochre-flanked Tapaculo, Eugralla paradoxa
• Genus Myornis
  • Ash-colored Tapaculo, Myornis senilis
• Genus Scytalopus
  • Unicolored Tapaculo, Scytalopus unicolor
  • Blackish Tapaculo, Scytalopus latrans
  • Trilling Tapaculo, Scytalopus parvirostris
  • Large-footed Tapaculo, Scytalopus macropus
  • Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Scytalopus femoralis
  • Long-tailed Tapaculo, Scytalopus micropterus
  • Bolivian Tapaculo, Scytalopus bolivianus
  • White-crowned Tapaculo, Scytalopus atratus
  • Perija Tapaculo, Scytalopus nigricans
  • Santa Marta Tapaculo, Scytalopus sanctaemartae
  • Pale-throated Tapaculo, Scytalopus panamensis
  • Narino Tapaculo, Scytalopus vicinior
  • Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Scytalopus argentifrons
  • Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Scytalopus latebricola
  • Merida Tapaculo, Scytalopus meridanus
  • Colombian Tapaculo, Scytalopus infasciatus
  • Caracas Tapaculo, Scytalopus caracae
  • Spillman's Tapaculo, Scytalopus spillmanni
  • Zimmer's Tapaculo, Scytalopus zimmeri
  • Puna Tapaculo, Scytalopus simonsi
  • Vilcabamba Tapaculo, Scytalopus urubambae
  • Neblina Tapaculo, Scytalopus altirostris
  • Ancash Tapaculo, Scytalopus affinis
  • Paramo Tapaculo, Scytalopus canus
  • Magellanic Tapaculo, Scytalopus magellanicus
  • Matorral Tapaculo, Scytalopus griseicollis
  • White-browed Tapaculo, Scytalopus superciliaris
  • Dusky Tapaculo, Scytalopus fuscus
  • Tschudi's Tapaculo, Scytalopus acutirostris
  • Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Scytalopus speluncae
  • Brasilia Tapaculo, Scytalopus novacapitalis
  • Bahia Tapaculo, Scytalopus psychopompus
  • Wetland Tapaculo, Scytalopus iraiensis
  • White-breasted Tapaculo, Scytalopus indigoticus
  • Diademed Tapaculo, Scytalopus schulenbergi
  • Choco Tapaculo, Scytalopus chocoensis
  • Ecuadorian Tapaculo, Scytalopus robbinsi
  • Stiles' Tapaculo, Scytalopus stilesi
  • Chusquea Tapaculo, Scytalopus parkeri
  • Magdalena Tapaculo, Scytalopus rodriguezi
• Genus Acropternis
  • Ocellated Tapaculo, Acropternis orthonyx