White-throated Antpitta

Overview

The white-throated antpitta (Grallaria albigula) is a small bird in the family Grallariidae, found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. It is a plump, round antbird characterised by its stout bill and very short tail.

Identification

• Body size is 18.5 to 20 cm long, weighing 84 to 95 g, with the sexes displaying the same plumage.
• The nominate subspecies features a bright chestnut-rufous crown, nape, and ear coverts, with a white throat extending under the ear coverts.
• Upperparts are mostly olivaceous-brown with reddish-brown wings and tail; the breast and belly are pale to medium gray with an olive wash on the flanks.
• Song is described as a two-note hollow whistle where the second note is slightly higher, sounding like "hee-KEE".

Habitat

The species primarily inhabits the understory of humid montane forests, though it also occupies semi-deciduous and deciduous woodlands, shrubby areas, and bamboo patches in parts of its range. It has a disjunct distribution across southeastern Peru, central and western Bolivia, and the northern provinces of Argentina, typically ranging between 600 and 2,700 m in elevation.

Diet

The diet is known to include insects and spiders, with a probable inclusion of earthworms similar to other Grallaria antpittas. It is almost entirely terrestrial, foraging along the ground, usually within dense vegetation.

Did you know?

Despite having a restricted range and being subject to potential local threats from habitat destruction, the species is considered fairly common in Peru and is known to inhabit a broad spectrum of habitat types, including areas with moderate or high disturbance.