Natural History of Ecuador's Mainland Avifauna (NHEMA).

a project of the Yanayacu Natural History Research Group
Grallaricula peruviana, Peruvian Antpitta

Family Formicariidae, Order Passeriformes
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This page was created by Harold F. Greeney in 2005. It is updated periodically and should be cited in the manner outlined on the NHEMA species list page.

Abstract:

The Peruvian Antpitta is, like many of its family members, very poorly known. It is known to occur only in a handful of sites from northeastern Peru to northeastern Ecuador. Apart from ongoing work at the Yanayacu Biological Station it is nearly unknown in life. Only two active nests are known for this eleusive species, both of which were shallow mossy cups lined with dark rootlets and precariously perched 1-3 m above the ground. The nest cup is built on top of a bulky platform of small sticks and supported by few small supports. One nest contained a single nestling, and only one egg was laid in the other nest. The egg was pale caramel colored and evenly blotched and flecked with black, brown, and white markings. Both sexes are known to partake in building of the nest, incubation, and nestling care. Prey items brought to nestlings include many aquatic insects. To date, there is no known song of this species.

Relevant publications:

 Greeney, H. F., E. C. Hannelly, & M. Lysinger. 2004. First description of the nest and vocalisations of the Peruvian Antpitta Grallaricula peruviana with a northward range extension. Cotinga 21: 14-17.

Greeney, H. F., R. A. Gelis, E. C. Hannelly, & P. J. DeVries. 2004. The egg and incubation period of the Peruvian Antpitta (Grallaricula peruviana). Ornitologia Neotropical 15: 403-406.

Greeney, H. F. 2005. Incubation behavior of the Peruvian Antpitta (Grallaricula peruviana). Ornitologia Neotropical 16: in press.

Breeding dates:

DATE

LOCATION

STAGE

SOURCE of data

20 April 2003

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station

Building

Greeney, Gelis, Hannelly & DeVries 2004

29 September 2002

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station

Nestling

Greeney, Hannelly & Lysinger 2004
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Photographs:

Eggs of G. peruviana

Egg # H03-2223, 26 May 2003,Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Complete clutches of G. peruviana in nest

Nest number H03-222, Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Nest number H03-222, Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Nestlings of G. peruviana

Nestling of Grallaricula peruviana on the day of hatching. Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Nestling of Grallaricula peruviana on the day of hatching. Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Nestling of Grallaricula peruviana on the day of hatching. Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Nestling of Grallaricula peruviana thirteen days after hatching. Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Nestling of Grallaricula peruviana thirteen days after hatching. Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Nestling of Grallaricula peruviana thirteen days after hatching. Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador

Additional photographs of G. peruviana

Adult male Grallaricula peruviana in the wild at Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney.

Nestling hatching of Grallaricula peruviana at Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Young nestling of Grallaricula peruviana in nest at Yanayacu Biological Station. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Older nestling of Grallaricula peruviana at Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney.

Young nestling of Grallaricula peruviana in nest at Yanayacu Biological Station. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Threat display by older nestling of Grallaricula peruviana in nest at Yanayacu Biological Station, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney.
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