Slaty Gnateater
Conopophaga ardesiaca
Small, compact bird found in the understory of humid, mossy mid-elevation montane forest. Males are dark gray with a brown back and cap; females are similar, with a reddish-orange face. Both sexes have white head plumes that are raised when agitated. Smaller and darker than antpittas, which are similar in body structure. Forages singly or in pairs. Listen for the male’s song, a series of raspy rising “bree?” notes, typically given early in the morning or at dusk.
Identification
The slaty gnateater is 12.5 to 14 cm (4.9 to 5.5 in) long, and 57 specimens had a mean weight of 26.3 g (0.93 oz). The plumage is variable, but the typical male's head is mostly dark gray that continues through most of the underparts. The crown and upper parts are brown and the flanks and lower belly are brownish gray. It has a white tuft behind the eye. Birds in the Cochabamba Department of Bolivia are much darker. The female has more brown on the face, the white tuft is much smaller, and there is a white patch on the belly. The upper parts can be dark brown, olive brown, or rufous brown.
Taxonomy
The position of the slaty gnateater in linear format is unsettled. The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and the Clements taxonomy place it differently within the gnateater family. There are several color variants, and "Further research and, probably, taxonomic revision [are] required." The slaty gnateater has two subspecies, the nominate Conopophaga ardesiaca ardesiaca (D'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837) and C. a. saturata (von Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1906).
- Scientific name
- Conopophaga ardesiaca
- Authority
- d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Conopophagidae
- Genus
- Conopophaga
Range and habitat
The slaty gnateater inhabits the narrow band of the Yungas on the eastern slope of the Andes. C. a. saturata is found in Peru from southeastern Cusco Province south towards Bolivia. C. a. ardesiaca is found from the Department of Puno in southeastern Peru to Bolivia's Tarija Department. The species inhabits dense growth in rainforest, typically around treefalls, road edges, and similar openings. In elevation it typically ranges from 800 to 1,800 m (2,600 to 5,900 ft) but is found locally to 2,450 m (8,040 ft) in Peru.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The slaty gnateater forages for arthropods in leaf litter and foliage on and near the ground.<p>Very little is known about the slaty gnateater's breeding phenology. Specimens collected during June, July, and November in Bolivia were in breeding condition. In Peru, fledglings were observed in November.<p>The slaty gnateater's song is a "frog-like...'g-reep' or 'w-reeep'" [1]. Its most common call is a "tseet" [2].
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Piping Plover
Charadrius melodus
Small, plump, pale plover; the color of dry sand. In breeding plumage look for thin broken black collar across chest, black stripe across forehead, orange legs, and orange bill with black tip. Nonbreeding and immature birds have black bills and sandy-colored breastbands. White wingstripe visible in flight. Notably paler than other small plovers, with the exception of Snowy, from which Piping is distinguished by thicker bill and orange legs. Sometimes seen near other shorebirds, but rarely ventures far from the high, dry side of the beach. Often quite vocal; gives a sad-sounding two-parted whistle that drops in pitch: "pwee-doo." A species of great conservation concern, due to coastal development and disturbance at nesting sites on beaches.
Southern Antpipit
Corythopis delalandi
Medium-sized odd-looking, ground-walking flycatcher of humid forests and second growth. Unmistakable in most of its range with its olive-brown back, yellow bill, white face and belly, and black breast. Told from Ringed Antpipit, for which there is barely any distributional overlap, by being paler and less olive above with a creamier chin and throat. Generally shy but its song is very distinct: a melodic series of explosive “preeeh-prrrwee-prurr-prii” notes. Also makes loud bill-snapping noises.
Black Flowerpiercer
Diglossa humeralis
Fairly small flowerpiercer found in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru. Entirely black with typical flowerpiercer bill: uniquely upswept with a hooked tip. In most of range, lacks gray shoulder patch, which helps separate from Glossy Flowerpiercer. However, population in eastern Andes of Colombia do show a gray shoulder patch, but it is smaller and duller than Glossy’s. Black is typically associated with dry scrubby habitats at high elevations, from 2,500-4,500m. Singles or pairs forage at low to middle levels.
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