1 February 2023, Fly Ecuador: Day 4, birding in Mindo and also the NW Andes
Antpittas (household Grallariidae) are woodland birds of Central and also South America that focus on consuming ants. They nest in trees, they invest many of their time on the ground where their brown-rust tuft gives outstanding camouflage. They are generally listened to, not seen.
The normal antpitta is typically referred to as a “sphere on sticks” due to the fact that the majority of them are tiny, plump and also almost tailless with lengthy legs.
The huge antpitta ( Grallaria gigantea) is much from normal. He’s the size of an American robin however evaluates 4 times as a lot. He’s exact same weight as a pileated woodpecker and also triple the weight of various other antpittas in his location. Wikipedia discusses:
G. gigantea is, as its name recommends, a substantial antpitta. Size varieties from 24 to 28 centimetres (9.4 to 11.0 in) and also weight depends on 300 grams (10.6 oz), that makes it quickly the heaviest of all tracheophone suboscine birds. Its local opponent, the chestnut-throated huet-huet [native to Chile], is not recognized to go beyond 185 grams (6.5 oz).
Typically a gigantic antpitta is never ever seen however you understand he’s available when you listen to a seem like an eastern screech-owl that increases at the end. (Do you listen to the rainfall in this audio clip?)
We anticipate to see him at Refugio Paz de las Aves due to the fact that bird whisperer Angel Paz can call them forward to treat on earthworms.
( picture from Wikimedia Commons, sound from Xeno Canto; click the media web link to se the originals)