The variegated antpitta is a species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Guianas, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America (Guianas and Amazon Basin)
Typical Environment
Inhabits the dense understory of humid evergreen forests, primarily in lowland terra firme and adjacent foothills. It also occurs in tall secondary growth, forest edges with thick understory, and sometimes along shaded streams. The species keeps close to the ground, moving by short hops and brief dashes through leaf litter. It is highly skulking and seeks cover in vine tangles and thickets.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy, ground-dwelling antpitta, it is far more often heard than seen, giving clear, mournful whistles from dense understory. It occasionally follows army-ant swarms to snatch flushed insects. Taxonomy within this complex has been reviewed in recent years, with regional variation noted. Its skittish nature and leaf-litter foraging make it a quintessential denizen of humid Neotropical forests.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, stays low to the ground
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining territories within dense understory. Nests are typically cup-shaped and placed low, often supported by vegetation over the forest floor. Pairs communicate with soft calls and may duet during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, far-carrying series of whistled notes, often given as spaced, plaintive phrases. The song may accelerate or slightly rise and fall, repeated at intervals from concealed perches near the ground.
