Watkins's antpitta is a Near Threatened species of bird in the family Grallariidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Region
Tumbes–Piura dry forests
Typical Environment
Occurs on the Pacific slope of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, centered in the Tumbesian region. It inhabits tropical dry to semihumid foothill forests with a dense understory, often near ravines and along forest edges. Birds keep close to the ground in leaf-littered thickets and secondary growth, sometimes using coffee or cacao understory when adjacent to forest. It is patchily distributed where suitable understory persists and avoids open country.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This shy ground-dweller is far more often heard than seen, giving a melancholy, whistled song from dense understory. Despite the name “antpitta,” it does not specialize on ants, but picks a variety of invertebrates from leaf litter. It is tied to the Tumbesian region of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru and is sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, reluctant flier
Social Behavior
Typically seen alone or in pairs, moving with short hops through dense understory. Nests are placed low, often a cup of moss or fibers on a low branch or tangle; clutch size is small, and both adults likely share incubation and care. Territorial songs are delivered from concealed perches just above the ground.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, mournful series of whistled notes, often starting with a single note and followed by evenly spaced repeats. Phrases carry well at dawn and dusk and can sound ventriloquial from within dense cover.
