Birding Mindo Giant Antpitta Choco Region
Birding Mindo, Giant Antpitta, Choco Region.
Information taken from the book Birds of Ecuador of Robert S. Ridgely and Paul J Greenfield.
Gian Antpitta.
24 cm. Rare and seeminly local on or near ground in subtropical forest and borders on both slopes , occasionally into secondary growth; apparently only in n. Ecuador.
Descrption:
Heavy bill, Black above and horn to pale dusky below. West – slope birds have rufous forehead grading into gray crown and nape, latter contrasting with olive brown upperparts. Sides of head and neck and entire underparts rich orange-rufous with narrow wavy black barring. East-slope Birds similar but ground on underparts paler and more ochraceous buff.
Similar species : Well named, easily the largest antpitta in Ecuador. Undulated Antpitta is smaller (though hardly a small bird), and further differs in its prominen blackish submalar stripe and lack of rufous on forehead (showing loral spot instead); it occurs at higher elevations than Giant. Undulated and e.- slopes Giants have about same ventral ground color.
HABITS
Favors wet muddy places. Usually found singly, hopping with great springing bounds on ground, fallen logs, and through low undergrowth. Feeds mostly on ground, probing in muddy soil and leaf litter; may feed primarily on large earthworms. On infrequent occasions, the normally elusive Giant Antpitta comes out into wet pastures inmediately adjacent to forest, this perhaps especially in early morning.
VOICE
Birding Mindo, Giant Antpitta, Choco Region. W.-slopes male?s song, usually given from a low perch 1- 4 m above ground, a fast quavering hollow trill that lasts about 5 seconds and gradually increases in strength before ending in a crescendo ( overall effect rather owl-like); e.- slope song similar but slightly higher pitched and typically lacking a strongly accented ending. It closely resembles Undulated Antpitta?s song. Western birds also give a much shorter (0.5 second) hollow trill, “hohohohohohohoho”. (F.Sornoza recording).