Chestnut-naped Antpitta Grallaria nuchalis Scientific name definitions

The Chestnut-naped Antpitta is a typical ground-dwelling Grallaria, although it sings from a low perch, and which strongly prefers bamboo thickets in humid montane forest at 1900 to 3150 m. Its geographical range extends from north-central Colombia to northernmost Peru. As is typical of the Grallariidae, very little has been published to date concerning this species’ ecology, although the eggs have been described, and the Chestnut-naped Antpitta is presumably a fairly strict insectivore. Three species of the Chestnut-naped Antpitta are recognized and these differ principally in their crown colour and the intensity of the saturation to the underparts, although there are also some differences in their vocalizations. The basic plumage pattern, common to all three, is of gray underparts with a darker face, and rufous-brown upperparts, usually brightest and most rufescent over the crown and nape.

19·5–20 cm; three males 111–122 g, three females 104–122 g. Adult has grey lores, dark chestnut crown, rufous-chestnut rear crown, nape and side of head; upperparts brown, primaries tawny-brown; underparts dusky brown to ashy grey, tinged ashy on abdomen; iris grey, with small patch of whitish orbital skin to rear of eye; bill black; tarsus pale blue-grey. Juvenile is plain light brown above, darkest on crown, light buffy brown below, darkest on breast, with bare parts of face bright orange. Race <em>ruficeps</em> has crown, nape and side of head brighter rufous-chestnut , underparts grey; obsoleta has brown crown, with only nape rufous-chestnut, upperparts olivaceous brown, lores and eyering blackish, auriculars chestnut, underparts blackish-grey.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Dense bamboo thickets in humid montane forest, at 1900–3150 m.

Presumably sedentary.

Stomachs of four specimens held ants , beetles, other insect parts, and a millipede (Diplopoda). Food brought to a nest in S Ecuador consisted of 22 earthworms (Oligochaeta), 20 unidentifiable arthropods and 5 beetle larvae (Coleoptera) (6 Juiña J., M. E., J. B. C. Harris, and H. F. Greeney (2009). Description of the nest and parental care of the Chestnut-naped Antpitta (Grallaria nuchalis) from southern Ecuador. Ornitología Neotropical 20(2):305–310. Close ). Hops on ground as other Grallaria, usually within dense bamboo thickets, but venturing into semi-open at early dawn or during overcast or rainy weather.

Song (nuchalis) 2·3–4·1 seconds long, at intervals of 6–15 seconds for up to several minutes, a series of 7–13 notes mostly at constant pitch of 1–9-2·2 kHz and slowly accelerating pace, but over last few notes accelerating quickly and rising to 2·1–2·4 kHz; introductory note at similar pitch c. 1 second before series presumably a well-synchronized female vocalization; also possibly by female is a descending series 4–7 seconds long of 6–9 wheezy notes at 5·5–4·9 kHz at steady pace. Song of obsoleta 3–4 seconds long, at constant pitch of 1·8–1·9 kHz (last note occasionally slightly higher), 1–3 trisyllabic stutters becoming steadily paced series, also usually preceded by single (probably female) note; presumed female may give 12-second, steadily paced, descending series of 14 notes at 6·4–6kHz.

Sings from low hidden perch, mainly at dawn and dusk. Eggs 36·3–36·8 × 26·9–27·9 mm. Study on W slope of C Andes of Colombia gave estimated density of c. 0·5 individuals/ha, and estimated territory size of 9·3 ha. A nest in S Ecuador had two nestlings in Nov; the nest was in a Chusquea sp. bamboo thicket, c. 3 m above the ground, supported by bamboo stems, and was a large, irregular cup composed primarily of bamboo leaves, but also with a few small sticks and moss filaments; when c. 3 days old the nestlings had dark greyish skin with sparse dark natal down and their eyes were closed; as they grew older they developed buffy underparts with distinct, but thin, black barring on the chest; their upperparts were dark grey to black, especially on the crown, with buff-tipped feathers giving a barred appearance most apparent on the upper back; bills, gapes, and mouth linings were bright orange (6 Juiña J., M. E., J. B. C. Harris, and H. F. Greeney (2009). Description of the nest and parental care of the Chestnut-naped Antpitta (Grallaria nuchalis) from southern Ecuador. Ornitología Neotropical 20(2):305–310. Close ). Specimen in breeding condition and juvenile in Jan in Colombia (SE Antioquia). No other information available.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Generally uncommon; locally fairly common, e.g. in Peru. Common in Podocarpus National Park, in Ecuador, and occurs in several other protected areas.