White-bellied Antpitta

Overview

The white-bellied antpitta (Grallaria hypoleuca) is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is a resident species found in the highland forests of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, where it is assessed as being of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Length of 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in), weighing 62 to 69 g, with a stout bill and very short tail.
• Rufescent or dusky brown crown with black streaks on the forecrown, rufous face, and reddish brown back, wings, and tail.
• White throat and belly, with a mostly gray breast featuring rufous brown sides and olive or tawny brown flanks.
• Black or blackish gray bill, brown iris, and blue-gray legs and feet.

Habitat

The species occupies humid montane forest edges, mature secondary forest, and forest interiors with dense vegetation in openings caused by treefalls or landslides. Its elevation range spans 1,400 to 2,700 m in Colombia, 1,400 to 2,200 m in Ecuador, and 1,700 to 2,100 m in Peru.

Diet

The diet is not fully detailed but is known to include insects. The bird is almost entirely terrestrial, running and hopping along the ground in dense vegetation, and has been observed following army ant swarms and humans to capture prey disturbed by their movement.

Did you know?

The bird's call is described as strikingly similar to the vocalisation of a pygmy-owl (Glaucidium). It typically sings from a low perch within about 2 m of the ground, producing a simple, far-carrying song given at long intervals of 10 seconds or more.