Amazonian Antpitta Myrmothera berlepschi Scientific name definitions

The Amazonian Antpitta is widely distributed over southern Amazonia, from the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil to eastern Peru and northern Bolivia, and it inhabits the dense undergrowth of terra firme forest below approximately 700 m. Above and over the head, the plumage is medium brown, whereas the underparts are white with dark streaking over the breast and flanks, becoming warm buff over the posterior flanks. As with any other antpitta, the Amazonian Antpitta is far more frequently heard than seen, and the species’ territorial song is a series of up to four cuock notes given at regular intervals, and sometimes uttered for long periods. Despite that the species is locally common, to date almost nothing has been published concerning its behavior and ecology.

14·5 cm; male 46–54 g, female 36–48·9g. Adult has buffy loral spot; entire upperparts olive-brown, outer webs of primaries paler, olive-buff; throat to below auriculars white, breast and sides buffy ochraceous, coarsely streaked dusky, belly white, flanks and crissum orange-rufous; iris brown; exposed orbital skin pinkish-red; upper mandible dusky grey, lower pinkish-white with dusky tip; tarsus bright pink. Juvenile undescribed. Race <em>yessupi</em> is scarcely distinguishable from nominate, but said to be slightly darker (browner) above and slightly deeper buff below.

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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.

Floor and lower part of very dense undergrowth at forest edge and in overgrown clearings. Below 500 m.

Presumably sedentary.

One stomach held “insects”. Usually alone. Walks , runs and hops on forest floor and logs; behaviour similar to H. fulviventris and H. dives.

Song 2–3 seconds long, given at intervals of 5–10 seconds, an evenly paced series of 3–4 (rarely, 2) similar downslurred “cuock ” notes at 0·8–0·9 kHz; differs from song of H. fulviventris only in being slower with on average fewer notes. Call a 1·6-second rattle of 14–16 notes at 0·8 kHz.

No information.

Not globally threatened. Uncommon; locally fairly common; rare in Peru. Occurs in several protected areas, e.g. Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia; recorded regularly at Amazonia Lodge and Pantiacolla Lodge, in Peru. Apparently favoured by light habitat disturbance.