The streak-chested antpitta or spectacled antpitta is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Region
Central America to the Chocó and northwest Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs from Honduras south through Nicaragua and Costa Rica into Panama, continuing into western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Prefers humid lowland and foothill rainforests with dense understory and leaf litter. It uses both primary and well-developed secondary forest, often near streams or ravines. The species avoids open areas and remains close to cover, typically on the shaded forest floor.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the spectacled antpitta, it gets its name from the bold pale eye-ring that looks like spectacles. It is a shy, ground-dwelling bird that is far more often heard than seen, delivering clear, ringing whistles from dense understory. It occasionally follows army-ant swarms to pick off flushed invertebrates.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short low flights with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Generally solitary or in pairs, keeping close to the forest floor. Nests are placed low or near the ground; clutch size is typically small. Males sing from concealed perches within dense vegetation, and pairs maintain territories.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, ringing whistles, often delivered in spaced phrases that carry through the understory. The song is simple but penetrating, with mournful, repeated notes; calls include soft chips and thin whistles.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with buff underparts heavily streaked dark across the chest; plain throat and smooth, compact plumage suited to skulking in understory.
Diet
Feeds primarily on insects and other arthropods such as beetles, ants, termites, spiders, and caterpillars. It also takes small invertebrates from leaf litter and occasionally small vertebrates like tiny lizards or frogs. Prey is captured by short hops and quick snatches from the ground or low vegetation.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the shaded forest floor, especially along trails, stream edges, and vine tangles where leaf litter is deep. Sometimes attends army-ant swarms to seize flushed prey but does not depend on them.
