Barred Antthrush

Overview

The barred antthrush (Chamaeza mollissima) is a species of bird in the family Formicariidae found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a population that is believed to be stable, though its size remains unknown.

Identification

• 19 to 20.5 cm long with a chestnut to dark brown crown and whitish lores.
• Black and white barred ear coverts, a white streak with black bars behind the eye, and a chestnut streak below the eye.
• Underparts are mostly dark brown to black with narrow white or buff bars; subspecies C. m. yungae appears spotted due to broken pale bars.
• Song consists of a series of similar notes at an even pace of 6–7 per second, increasing in volume and pitch, often described as "pupupupupupupupupupupupupupuPUPUPUPUPU'PU'PU'PU' PU".

Habitat

This species inhabits the floor of humid to wet primary montane forest and cloudforest featuring dense undergrowth, much moss, and lichen on fallen trees. Its range includes the Cauca and Magdalena river valleys in Colombia, extending south through eastern Ecuador into northern Peru, and subspecies C. m. yungae found from southwestern Peru into Bolivia. Elevational ranges vary by region, generally spanning between 1,500 and 3,200 m.

Diet

Diet details are not fully known, though one specimen's stomach contained small seeds. The bird is almost entirely terrestrial, foraging on the forest floor where it pumps its tail while walking and running.

Did you know?

Despite being a year-round resident that is seldom seen, it is occasionally encountered as single birds or pairs while foraging on the ground. Its breeding season is poorly understood, though it has been observed in November in Peru.