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Tapaculos are an odd little passerine group found in South America. They are secretive and generally dusky, black, or brown (with a few exceptions). This one is a puna tapaculo, a high-altitude specialist. It was photographed at dawn in Abra Malaga Pass, at about 4300 m altitude (about 14,500 feet) near Cuzco, Peru. It was singing vigorously despite the frosty morning, but did not come close enough for a good photo -- this is the best I could do with a very long lens. There was something evocative about this tiny bird singing away in such a cold, bleak place. |
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