The equatorial antpitta is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found is Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Found along humid montane slopes of southern Colombia, much of Ecuador, and northern Peru. It inhabits mature and secondary cloud forests with dense understory, especially areas with Chusquea bamboo and mossy ravines. Birds keep close to the ground, using trails, stream gullies, and forest edges but avoiding open areas. It tolerates some habitat disturbance where understory cover remains intact.
Altitude Range
1800–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Equatorial Antpitta is a secretive ground-dwelling bird of the Andean cloud forests, recently recognized as a distinct species from the Rufous Antpitta complex. It is best detected by its clear, mournful whistles rather than seen, as it prefers dense understory and bamboo thickets. It occurs in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense cover and hopping on the forest floor. Nests are mossy cups placed low, often on banks or in dense vegetation; clutches are small (usually 1–2 eggs). Both adults are believed to share incubation and chick care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, fluted whistles delivered at measured intervals, often carrying far in the damp forest. Calls are simple, mournful notes that help distinguish it from closely related antpittas.
Plumage
Overall warm rufous to cinnamon-brown with subtle dusky scalloping on the breast and flanks; underparts slightly paler and often buff-washed. Crown and upperparts are rich rufous-brown with a more uniform tone than many similar antpittas. Throat can be slightly paler, and the plumage is soft and dense, suited to wet montane forests.
Diet
Primarily consumes arthropods such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders, along with earthworms. It forages by hopping and gleaning from leaf litter and probing soft soil and moss. Occasionally takes small vertebrates like tiny frogs when available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on the dim forest floor in dense understory, especially along trails, stream edges, and bamboo thickets. May approach army-ant swarms opportunistically but is not an obligate follower.
