Grallaria chthonia
The Tachira Antpitta (Grallaria chthonia) stands as one of the world's most enigmatic and critically endangered avian species. This small, stocky antpitta measures approximately 15-16 cm (6-6.3 inches) in length, characterized by its predominantly olive-brown upperparts and a paler, greyish-olive throat and breast, sharply contrasting with a dull rufous belly and flanks. Key identification features include a distinctive whitish loral line, a pale supraloral streak, a dark eyeline, and a promi...
Restricted to humid montane cloud forests and elfin forests, typically found at elevations between 1,800 to 2,100 meters (5,900-6,900 feet).
Feeds primarily on various terrestrial invertebrates, including insects and their larvae, spiders, and earthworms, gleaned from the forest floor.
The Tachira Antpitta is an exceedingly secretive and primarily diurnal species, spending nearly all its time on or very close to the forest floor, where it forages by sifting through deep leaf litter with its strong legs and bill. Like most antpittas, it is presumed to be largely solitary and hig...
The Tachira Antpitta holds one of the most restricted avian distributions globally, confined to a minuscule area within the Venezuelan Andes. All confirmed records originate from the humid montane cloud forests and elfin forests of the Páramo de Tamá National Park and its immediate vicinity, loca...
Critically Endangered
- The Tachira Antpitta was considered potentially extinct for 60 years after its last confirmed sighting in 1956, until its sensational rediscovery in 2016. - Its entire known global range is confined to a tiny, fragmented area of high-altitude cloud forest in the Andes of western Venezuela. - Bi...