Plain-backed Antpitta

About the Plain-backed Antpitta

The plain-backed antpitta (Grallaria haplonota) is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The plain-backed antpitta has these four subspecies: G. h. haplonota Sclater, PL, 1877

G. h. pariae Phelps, WH & Phelps, WH Jr, 1949 G. h. parambae Rothschild, 1900 G. h. chaplinae Robbins, MB, & Ridgely, 1986 Grallaria antpittas are a "wonderful group of plump and round antbirds whose feathers are often fluffed up...they have stout bills [and] very short tails". The plain-backed antpitta is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs 75 to 90 g (2.6 to 3.2 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies G. h. haplonota have a pale buff "moustache" with a dusky stripe below it on an otherwise brown face. Their upperparts are brown with a gray tinge on their crown; their tail is dark rufescent. Their chin and throat are white and the rest of their underparts ochraceous that is darkest on their breast.

Subspecies G. h. pariae has darker underparts and more reddish belly and undertail coverts than the nominate. G. h. parambae has darker but more tawny underparts... Wikipedia →