Pale-billed Antpitta

Overview

The pale-billed antpitta (Grallaria carrikeri) is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae that is endemic to Peru. It is a resident species throughout its range and is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• A plump and round antbird, 20 to 21 cm long, with an ivory bill, pale reddish brown iris, and blue-gray legs.
• Adults feature a black forecrown, lores, and cheeks, with dark olivaceous brown backs and dusky brown tails.
• Underparts are mostly light gray, darker on the breast and becoming almost white on the belly, with narrow black tips on the breast feathers.
• Song consists of a series of low hoots, starting with a higher note followed by a stuttered series of lower notes; calls are high, metallic teet notes.

Habitat

Found on the east slope of the Peruvian Andes, ranging from central Amazonas Department south to southeastern La Libertad Department. It inhabits the understory of humid montane forest with a broken canopy, lush epiphytes, and Chusquea bamboo thickets at elevations between 2,350 and 2,900 m.

Diet

The diet is not fully detailed but includes arthropods and is suspected to include small vertebrates such as frogs. The bird forages on the ground or within about 1 m of it, usually within dense vegetation.

Did you know?

The species' only known nest was discovered on a downed tree trunk situated on a very steep slope, 3 m above the ground. Both adults were observed brooding and provisioning the nestlings.