Tepui Antpitta
Myrmothera simplex
Rotund, terrestrial bird of tepui highland forests. Rich brown above and pale gray-brown below, with a white spot behind the eye, long legs, and virtually no tail. Found at middle and high elevations; most common above 800 m. Always observed on or close to ground. Forages in leaf litter and among mossy rocks for insects. Does not usually follow mixed-species flocks. Far more often heard than seen, but seems much less shy than many other antpittas; may run along ground to within a few meters of observers in response to playback or imitation of song. Song is 6–12 hollow whistles, the series rising slightly in pitch, similar to song of Thrush-like Antpitta but higher-pitched and often longer in duration. Alarm call is a melodious, hollow chuckle, virtually identical to same call of Thrush-like Antpitta; the two species do not overlap in elevational range.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Myrmothera simplex
- Authority
- (Salvin & Godman, 1884)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Grallariidae
- Genus
- Myrmothera
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Antarctic Prion
Pachyptila desolata
A medium-sized prion with a noticeable dark “M'' stretched across their back from wingtip to wingtip noticeable in flight. They breed on Antarctic and subantarctic islands in the South Indian, Southern and South Atlantic Oceans and are widespread and abundant at sea around these areas. Regular visitor to New Zealand and Southern Australia during the austral winter. Very similar to other prion species, especially Salvin’s prion, with the Antarctic prion having a slightly brighter blue bill with straighter sides and a larger nail at the tip.
Smoky Warbler
Phylloscopus fuligiventer
Dark sooty leaf warbler with a pale brow stripe and no wingbars. Yellow wash to the underparts tends to be absent in worn birds. Extremely similar in appearance to Dusky Warbler, which averages larger and darker overall, and has a longer, brighter brow stripe. Breeds in scrubby areas above the treeline and moves downhill into shrubby and grassy foothill and lowland areas. Forages low on the ground, often around rocks or water. Song is a repetitive series of liquid notes. Calls are dry, hard “chuck” or “tick” notes.
Large Green-Pigeon
Treron capellei
Largest of the green-pigeons, a stout-billed, heavy-chested, and broad-winged bird. Male olive-green overall, washed in gray, with small orange patch on chest. Orange-breasted and Pink-headed Green-Pigeons are smaller, brighter green, and have other colorful patches on the body. Female similarly colored but with paler, smaller orange patch; much larger than other green-pigeons. Gives groaning, undulating coos. Uncommon and localized in primary lowland and foothill forests.
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