Watkins's Antpitta

About the Watkins's Antpitta

Watkins's antpitta (Grallaria watkinsi) is a Near Threatened species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Watkins's antpitta was originally described as a species. It was later regarded as a subspecies of the chestnut-crowned antpitta (G. ruficapilla) but on the basis of a 1995 publication it was returned to full species status.

The species' English name and specific epithet commemorate the English collector Henry George Watkins, who collected the first specimens in Peru. The two form a superspecies. Watkins's antpitta is monotypic. 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". Watkins's antpitta is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 58 to 84 g (2.0 to 3.0 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a pale rufous crown and nape, with thin whitish streaks on both and black spots on the forecrown. They have white lores, a white ring around the eye, pale olive upper ear coverts, and white lower ear coverts with thin olive streaks. Their back and tail are pale olive with some white streaks on... Wikipedia →