Undulated Antpitta

Overview

The undulated antpitta (Grallaria squamigera) is a plump antbird found in the Andean forests of South America. It is the largest member of its genus occurring in the higher Andes and is currently classified as a species of Least Concern.

Identification

• Adults measure 20 to 24 cm in length and possess stout bills, very short tails, and long bluish-gray legs.
• Plumage features ashy brown upperparts with dark edges giving a scaly appearance, and yellowish fulvous underparts crossed by wavy black bars, except on the lower belly.
• The face is yellowish fulvous with buffy-white lores and black stripes on the sides of the buffy throat.
• The song is a fast, hollow, quavering trill that slightly ascends in pitch, described as 'hohohohohohohohohohohoho', along with a rapid series of purred notes.

Habitat

This species inhabits humid temperate, subtropical, and tropical montane forests, including Polylepis woodlands, and is often associated with Chusquea bamboo thickets. It is found along the Andes chain in western Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and central Bolivia, typically at elevations between 2,000 and 3,700 m. It almost exclusively stays on the forest floor in the interior of the forest.

Diet

The undulated antpitta feeds on earthworms, other invertebrates, arthropods, and lizards. It forages by hopping, pausing, and dashing to capture prey, seldom flying beyond a short distance or higher than to a low branch.

Did you know?

The species is notable for its cooperation with human observers, as it regularly visits feeding stations set up for viewing, where it is fed earthworms and similar invertebrates.