Hylopezus auricularis
The Masked Antpitta (Hylopezus auricularis) is a secretive, small passerine bird endemic to the southwestern Amazon basin, instantly recognizable by its distinctive facial markings. Measuring approximately 14-15 cm (5.5-6 inches) in length and weighing around 30-40 grams, it sports olive-brown upperparts, a contrasting grayish head, and a prominent, dark black ear patch that gives it its common name. Its underparts are buffy white, often with faint streaking, and its sturdy legs are a noticea...
This antpitta inhabits the understory of humid lowland evergreen forests, particularly terra firme forests, often near streams or areas with dense ground cover. It is typically found at elevations below 500 meters, though occasionally up to 700 meters.
Its diet consists mainly of insects, including beetles, ants, and orthopterans, along with other small arthropods found in the forest understory. It forages primarily by hopping and gleaning prey from leaf litter and low vegetation.
The Masked Antpitta is primarily a diurnal and highly terrestrial bird, spending most of its time hopping silently on the forest floor, making it notoriously difficult to observe. It forages by gleaning insects and other small invertebrates from leaf litter, low-lying vegetation, and occasionally...
The Masked Antpitta is a resident species found exclusively within a restricted portion of the southwestern Amazon basin. Its primary distribution includes eastern Peru, particularly in the departments of Loreto, Ucayali, and Madre de Dios, extending into extreme northwestern Bolivia, specificall...
Least Concern
- The 'mask' in its name refers to the prominent black ear patch, a key identification feature of this cryptic species. - Despite its relatively small size, its loud, clear whistle is one of the characteristic sounds of the western Amazonian rainforest understory. - Like many antpittas, it is far...