Tawny Antpitta
Grallaria quitensis
Medium-sized antpitta found in elfin forest and páramo near or above treeline in the Andes from western Colombia to extreme northwestern Peru. Typical antpitta shape: plump with short tail and long legs. Dull brownish plumage, darker above and buffier below. Sexes similar. Fairly common and much more conspicuous than most other antpittas; frequently seen bounding around in the open, though typically close to shrubby cover. Sometimes sings from a fairly prominent perch; listen for three piping whistles, a high first note followed by two lower notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Grallaria quitensis
- Authority
- Lesson, RP, 1844
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Grallariidae
- Genus
- Grallaria
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-streaked Greenbul
Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Slim, pale greenbul. The yellow streaks on the underparts are always hard to see. The crown color varies geographically: can be olive-green or gray. Found in moist forest, especially montane forest. The most distinctive attribute of this species is its behavior: creeping along midstory branches in almost woodpecker-like fashion, frequently flicking out one wing. Gives nasal calls and a descending series of more musical whistles. Easily confused with other greenbul species, but much paler overall than most greenbuls, and wing-flicking behavior is diagnostic.
Black-faced Munia
Lonchura molucca
A striking finch with a black hood, light brown collar, extensively barred white underside, and pale barred rump. Juveniles duller, brown above and buffy below, lacking bars. Singles to small groups inhabit open country in lowlands and foothills, including croplands, scrub, grassy areas, and woodland edge. Terrestrial, but perches in trees and bushes too. Adult differs from Scaly-breasted Munia in black hood and pale rump. Juvenile has a smaller bill than immature Five-colored Munia. Gives high-pitched, buzzy “krrit” calls, like a tiny tin horn.
Tiny Cisticola
Cisticola nana
A plain, miniscule cisticola of dry habitats. The cap and back of the neck are bright rufous, the back and tail are gray-brown, and the underparts are pale buff. The back can appear unstreaked or blurrily streaked. Found in dry thorn savanna and woodland. Within its range and habitat, easily identified by its tiny size and the bright rufous on the head. The song may recall a prinia’s, consisting of a rapid series of high-pitched “chi-du-lee” phrases.
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