Scallop-breasted Antpitta

About the Scallop-breasted Antpitta

The scallop-breasted antpitta (Grallaricula loricata) is a Near Threatened species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is endemic to Venezuela. The scallop-breasted antpitta was originally described in 1857 as Grallaria loricata by Philip Sclater, and a year later reclassified by him into genus Grallaricula. The scallop-breasted antpitta is monotypic. However, one prominent ornithologist has suggested that the Peruvian antpitta (G. peruviana) might be a subspecies of it.

"Grallaricula are very small Andean antpittas, found mostly in low dense vegetation (such as treefall gaps, stream edges, and bamboo thickets)." The scallop-breasted antpitta is about 11 cm (4.3 in) long. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a buff loral patch, a chestnut rufous supercilium, a buff yellow eyering, and a fuscous "moustache". Their crown and nape are chestnut rufous with sparse black streaks. Their upperparts and tail are olivaceous brown. Their flight feathers are fuscous to bronzy and their wing coverts rufous to bronzy. Their chin and throat are buff-yellow. Their breast is maize yellow that becomes creamy white on their belly. The breast... Wikipedia →