Spotted Antpitta
Hylopezus macularius
Shy, seldom-seen (but often heard) resident of lowland rainforest. In dim understory note long, pale legs, tailless shape, spotted breast, and wide buffy eyering; looks small. Hops on the ground searching for insects in leaf litter; may fly up to a low perch to assess an observer or respond to playback. Song is a distinctive series of far-carrying hooting notes with some regional variation, but unlike any other species in range.
Identification
The spotted antpitta (Hylopezus macularius) is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Taxonomy
Genus: Hylopezus; Family: Grallariidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Hylopezus macularius
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1830)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Grallariidae
- Genus
- Hylopezus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-thighed Grosbeak
Pheucticus tibialis
Large-billed bird with yellow head, body, and black back and wings. Look for massive triangular bill and obvious white patch on wing. Sexes similar. Found in open wooded areas like forest edges, second growth, and gardens. Usually seen singly or in pairs.
Yellow-mantled Weaver
Ploceus tricolor
A neatly patterned weaver that stays high above the ground in forests and old farmland, often near flooded areas or water, in small groups or with mixed-species flocks. Black head and vent contrast with the dark gray or reddish belly. Upperparts are black except for a bright gold triangular patch on the back. Engages in a wide variety of foraging behaviors, including gleaning, flycatching, and hitching up larger branches and trunks in a woodpecker-like fashion. Occurs with several other species of weaver, but note Yellow-mantled Weaver’s distinct upperparts and the contrast between its black throat and vent and its paler belly. Calls include mechanical whistles and rasps and dry chatters, sometimes combined in complex songs.
California Gnatcatcher
Polioptila californica
Small, long-tailed songbird; similar to other gnatcatchers but darker gray overall. Male has black cap; female shows brownish tones to plumage. Underside of tail helpful in identification: almost entirely black with narrow white edges; much less white than both Black-tailed and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Very restricted range; found in shrubby sagebrush chaparral, usually in pairs. Listen for harsh scolding calls.
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