Ochre-striped Antpitta

Overview

The ochre-striped antpitta (Grallaria dignissima) is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae found in South America. Classified as a plump and round antbird with very short tails, it is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Size is 15 to 19 cm (5.9 to 7.5 in) with a recorded weight of 110 g (3.9 oz) for one male.
• Adult males feature a gray-brown crown and nape, olive-brown upperparts with black and white streaks on the lower back, and an ochraceous brown throat and breast that transition to black and white streaks on the belly.
• Females display warmer brown upperparts and a more rufescent throat and breast compared to males.
• Both sexes have dark brown irises, a dark brown or gray-brown bill with a pale basal half, and gray legs and feet.
• Song consists of a low, mournful, two-note whü, whaöw lasting just over a second, alongside a descending, rolling, musical trill.

Habitat

Inhabiting the western Amazon Basin, this species ranges from southeastern Colombia through eastern Ecuador and northern Peru to the Marañón River. It lives on the floor of tall mature terra firme rainforest, favouring areas along streams and dense vegetation in regenerating treefall openings rather than steep slopes, at elevations up to 300 m in Colombia and 450 m in Ecuador and Peru.

Diet

Although the specific diet is not documented, the ochre-striped antpitta almost certainly feeds mostly on invertebrates. It is almost exclusively terrestrial, foraging by running and hopping on the ground.

Did you know?

Despite having a large range and being assessed as Least Concern, the species is considered rare throughout its territory, which means it may be more severely impacted by habitat fragmentation than other small birds.