Junin Antpitta
Grallaria obscura
Medium-sized, plain antpitta found in a limited area of the eastern Andes in south central Peru. It is uniform brown lacking strong field marks, but the pale eyering helps separate it from the similar Oxapampa Antpitta. Range and voice are also very important for ID. Typical songs include a short “bit-burr” and a series of five or six grating whistles. Inhabits the understory of high elevation forest and is mostly terrestrial, but sometimes perches higher to sing. It was formerly considered a subspecies of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.
Taxonomy
The Junín antpitta was described as a subspecies in 1896, but a 2020 study found that differences in genetics, vocalizations and plumage warranted its elevation to species.<p>The Junín antpitta is named after Junín, Peru, the department to which the species is confined.
- Scientific name
- Grallaria obscura
- Authority
- Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1896
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Grallariidae
- Genus
- Grallaria
Range and habitat
The Junín antpitta is endemic to the eastern Peruvian Andes in the department of Junín. Their range is bounded in the north by the Perené and Paucartambo rivers, in the west by the Ene river, and in the south by the Mantaro and Pampas rivers. It is found at elevations of 3,000–3,600 m. It inhabits humid montane forests and prefers the understory and forest floor.<p>They are separated from the closely related O'Neill's antpitta by the Perené and Paucartambo rivers and from the Urubamba antpitta by the Apurímac river.
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-tailed Shama
Copsychus pyrropygus
Stout shama with a broad, black-tipped, orangish tail. Male has a dark gray upper body, small white eyebrow, and orangish rump and belly. Female is more brownish above, with paler but more extensive orangish coloration on the breast and belly. Found in lowland and foothill regions, where it favors primary forest; less tolerant of disturbed or secondary forest than other shamas. Often forages close to or on the forest floor, as well as in trees. Song is a series of haunting, melodic whistles.
Peg-billed Finch
Acanthidops bairdi
Dull medium-gray finch with oddly long pointed bill, usually with pinkish or yellowish lower mandible. Female browner than male, with brown wingbars, but bill shape still very distinctive. Found at high elevations, usually above 1500m, in brushy areas or scrubby forest. Almost always found around seeding bamboo.
White Woodpecker
Melanerpes candidus
Strikingly-plumaged medium-sized woodpecker, mostly white with dark wings and back contrasting with yellow goggles with a dark eye stripe. Males have a yellowish nape. Often seen in small groups foraging in open areas, savannas, and dry forests. Makes a series of ternlike “krreee, krreeee” calls.
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