The slaty gnateater is a species of bird in the family Conopophagidae. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
Region
Central Andes (Peru and Bolivia)
Typical Environment
Occurs along the eastern Andean foothills in humid and submontane evergreen forests, often in dense vine tangles and bamboo thickets. It keeps to the dark understory and forest edges, sometimes near stream gullies. The species prefers well-shaded, undisturbed tracts but may persist in selectively logged forest with intact understory. Territories are typically small and maintained by pairs.
Altitude Range
300–1600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The slaty gnateater is a shy understory specialist of humid Andean foothill forests in Peru and Bolivia. Males are notably slaty-gray with a warm rufous wing panel, while females are browner and more cryptic. It forages low, making short sallies to snatch insects from foliage and vine tangles. Its soft, accelerating whistles can reveal it long before it’s seen.
Temperament
skulking and shy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief hops between low perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs holding small territories in dense understory. Nests are placed low, typically a small cup hidden in vines or shrubs, with the pair sharing incubation and care. It rarely joins mixed-species flocks, preferring quiet, concealed foraging routes.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of soft, clear whistles that accelerate slightly and may end in a short trill. Calls are quiet chips and plaintive notes given from concealed perches, often at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Male is uniform slaty-gray with a contrasting warm rufous to chestnut wing panel; female is brownish-olive above with buffy underparts and less contrast in the wings. Both sexes have soft, dense plumage suited to the understory and a short tail. A small pale eye crescent or facial spot may be visible at close range.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods including ants, beetles, spiders, and caterpillars. It uses short sallies from low perches to snatch prey from leaves and twigs and also gleans from the forest floor. Occasional following of small ant swarms may occur, but it is not an obligate ant follower.
Preferred Environment
Forages within 0–2 meters above ground in dense vine tangles, bamboo, and shaded understory near streams and forest edges. Prefers structurally complex microhabitats that provide cover and abundant insect prey.
