White-bellied Antpitta

About the White-bellied Antpitta

The white-bellied antpitta (Grallaria hypoleuca) is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The white-bellied antpitta has a complicated taxonomic history. It was originally described as a species with no subspecies. Subspecies G. h. castanea was added in 1923. The yellow-breasted antpitta was also described as a species but in the mid-twentieth century was included as a subspecies of the white-bellied. Later still what are now the rusty-tinged antpitta (G. przewalskii), bay antpitta (G. capitalis) and red-and-white antpitta (G. erythroleuca) were all merged into the white-bellied. By the end of the twentieth century all of them except G. h. castanea were restored to full species status. The five are considered a superspecies.

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 white-bellied antpitta is 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in) long; three males weighed 62 to 69 g (2.2 to 2.4 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies G. h. hypoleuca have a rufescent... Wikipedia →