Ash-throated Gnateater

Overview

The ash-throated gnateater (Conopophaga peruviana) is a small, monotypic bird species belonging to the family Conopophagidae. It is currently assessed as being of Least Concern by the IUCN, despite being generally uncommon across its range.

Identification

• Measures 11 to 12 cm in length and weighs between 22 and 26 g.
• Males feature a gray face, back, and breast, with a brownish wash on the darker back, a brown crown, a white throat, and a white tuft behind the eye.
• Females display rufous faces and breasts with brown upper parts.
• Song is described as consisting of hollow-sounding hwrickik! notes and a bisyllabic 'sneezing sound'.

Habitat

Found in the upper Amazon Basin spanning eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, far western Brazil, and the La Paz Department of Bolivia. It primarily inhabits the open understory of terra firme forest, favouring vine tangles and treefalls, though it also occurs in várzea forest and on slopes or ridgetops. Elevations typically reach 400 m, occasionally up to 600 m, and rarely as high as 1,000 m in Peru.

Diet

Forages on or near the ground to feed on small arthropods.

Did you know?

Breeding habits are poorly documented, but the few known nests are described as shallow cups situated less than 1 m above the ground.