Myrmothera dives
The Thicket Antpitta (*Myrmothera dives*) is a quintessential, often-heard-but-rarely-seen denizen of humid tropical undergrowth across Central and northern South America. A rather chunky, short-tailed bird measuring 14-15 cm (5.5-6 inches) and weighing around 40-50 grams, it presents a drab olive-brown plumage above, transitioning to a paler, often buffy or whitish, belly. Key identification marks for the determined birder include its dark lores and often a subtle pale eye-ring, which contra...
Thicket Antpittas primarily inhabit the dense understory of humid evergreen forests, secondary growth, and shaded coffee plantations, typically found from sea level up to 1500 meters.
The Thicket Antpitta's diet consists mainly of insects, including ants, beetles, orthopterans, and spiders, as well as other small invertebrates, which it gleans and probes from the forest floor.
This antpitta is profoundly terrestrial and incredibly secretive, spending nearly its entire life hopping silently on the forest floor, often making its presence known only through its distinctive vocalizations. Daily activity is focused on foraging, primarily in the morning and late afternoon, w...
The Thicket Antpitta's extensive range spans Central and northwestern South America. In Central America, it is found from eastern Honduras south through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Its South American distribution continues into western Colombia, western Venezuela, and northwestern Ecuador....
Least Concern
- The genus name *Myrmothera* literally means "ant-hunter," a nod to their diet and foraging behavior. - Despite their name, they are not closely related to true Pittas (family Pittidae) found in Asia and Australia. - They are far more often heard than seen, with their distinctive song being the ...