The chestnut-naped antpitta is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs along moist montane slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. It inhabits mature cloud forest and humid elfin forest with dense understory, mossy logs, and bamboo thickets. Birds keep close to the forest floor, using tangles and buttress roots for cover. It tolerates selectively logged areas if understory structure remains, but avoids open edges and heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
2000–3400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The chestnut-naped antpitta is a shy, ground-dwelling bird of Andean cloud forests that is more often heard than seen. It delivers a clear, mournful whistle from dense understory cover. Like other antpittas, it hops rather than walks, and sometimes attends army-ant swarms to snatch flushed insects.
Adult in Ecuador
Temperament
solitary and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, brief flights
Social Behavior
Typically found alone or in pairs, maintaining small territories on steep, mossy slopes. Nests are mossy cups placed low in vegetation, often on banks or roots. Both sexes likely share incubation and chick-feeding duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a clear, melancholy whistle or series of fluty notes, often delivered from hidden perches at dawn and dusk. Calls are simple but far-carrying in misty forest conditions.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with a distinct chestnut collar across the nape, contrasting with a grayer face and breast. Underparts are buff to tawny with subtle mottling or scaling on the chest. Feathers are dense and soft, aiding in quiet movement through wet understory.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and other arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars. It also takes occasional small vertebrates like tiny frogs or lizards. Prey is captured by hopping and gleaning from leaf litter, logs, and low vegetation, with short sallying pounces.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the shaded forest floor of humid montane forest, favoring areas with deep leaf litter and mossy structure. Often works along trails, stream banks, and around buttress roots. Sometimes follows army-ant swarms to seize fleeing prey.
