Black-throated Huet-Huet Pteroptochos tarnii
Chilean name: Hued-Hued del sur
Black-throated Huet-Huet, Puyehue N.P., Chile, November 2005 - click for larger image Puyehue N.P., Chile
November 2005

The Black-throated Huet-Huet is distributed in Chile south of the river Bío Bío and in adjacent parts of Argentina. It is found on the ground in southern beech Nothofagus forest especially where there is Chusquea bamboo.

Black-throated Huet-Huet, Puyehue N.P., Chile, November 2005 - click for larger image It is a large Tapaculo with a slate-grey head, neck and back, a chestnut crown and rump and chestnut belly with dark scalloped edges on the flanks. It also has a prominent whitish eye-ring and strong, black legs and feet.

It uses these to scratch the leaf litter on the ground in the manner of a domestic chicken thereby uncovering the insects, worms, seeds, etc. that make up the bulk of its diet.

Black-throated Huet-Huet, Puyehue N.P., Chile, November 2005 - click for larger image Its English and Chilean names derive from one of its characteristic calls which was much in evidence at least during the breeding season. The other thing to listen for is the scratching noise which can be quite loud.
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