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.
Identification
The Junin antpitta (Grallaria obscura) is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is endemic to the Peruvian Department of Junín.
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
Maned Duck
Chenonetta jubata
Small upright duck. Male is gray with a brown head, while the female is more heavily marked with pale marks on face. Nests in tree-hollows and can be quite noisy when perched up in the branches. Often abundant in urban parklands and grassy areas.
Highland Elaenia
Elaenia obscura
Medium-sized flycatcher with a small head and long tail. Found in forests and second growth. Largely olive above with a light gray throat and flanks, and a yellow center to the belly. Note two pale wingbars.
Amazonian Antpitta
Myrmothera berlepschi
Lowland rainforest antpitta of secondary growth. Typical antpitta shape, with long legs, almost no tail, and a plump body. Light brown above, white with diffuse brown streaking below, and a tawny wash on the face and breast. Lighter and more orangey than the similar Thrush-like Antpitta, which prefers more mature forest habitat. Does not have a strong facial pattern like other lowland antpittas. Secretive and difficult to see; listen for its song, a series of 3-5 loud “coop” notes.
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