Chestnut-crowned Gnateater Conopophaga castaneiceps Scientific name definitions

Two species of Conopophaga are found in the Andes, with this species occupying the northern part of the chain, in Colombia in all three ranges, thence south over the east slope to central Peru, and ranging from about 500 to 2200 m, although the Chestnut-crowned Gnateater is largely confined to elevations above 1000 m. Four subspecies are generally recognized, and a fifth might remain to be described from central Colombia. In general males are very dark below, with a neat rufous forehead, long white ear-tufts, and very dark upperparts, whereas females are also brown above, but have shorter white-tipped ear-tufts, and a largely deep rufous head and underparts, grading paler posteriorly. Despite being rather widespread, the species is not common and is not easily detected without knowledge of its vocalizations, and this gnateater is only regularly heard singing pre-dawn and close to dusk.

13–14 cm; mean of seven specimens 27·6 g. Male has top of head orange-­rufous, crown and nape tinged browner, prominent white postocular tuft ; upperparts brown, wing-coverts tipped orange-buff; face and underparts dark grey, flanks and lower region tinged orange-brown; iris dark brown; bill black with yellowish lower mandible; legs blue-grey. Female has head and chest orange-rufous, postocular plume reduced, whitish throat and belly. Juvenile apparently undescri­bed. Race chapmani differs from nominate in brighter, less brown-tinged crown; brunnei­nucha is darker overall, orange-rufous restricted to forehead, white belly patch; chocoensis like brunneinucha but smaller, with back more olivaceous, less grey, chestnut of crown more extensive.

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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.

Upper tropical and lower subtropical rainforest. Inhabits interior of tall, mossy forest, but favours openings such as treefalls and regrowing landslides; fairly frequently encountered in open, dimly lit understorey. Mostly at 1000–2000 m, but in Colombia recorded down to 700 m in Valle and 500 m in W Meta, and to 600 m in S Ecuador; recently reported at c. 2200 m in S Peru (Cuzco-Manu road). Occurs together with C. peruviana at one site in S Ecuador (Tayuntza, at 600 m). In S Peru overlaps very slightly with C. ardesiaca in SE Cuzco (on Cuzco-Manu road), where the two taxa co-exist in structurally different habitats.

Sedentary.

Arthropods. Prey taken from foliage and leaf litter on or near the ground, using short reaches and gleaning.

Song a series of frog-like, slightly disyllabic notes at 3–4 kHz, pace accelerating and amplitude increasing after first 1–2 notes, the whole lasting 3–6 seconds, with longer series returning to more widely spaced and slightly quieter notes at end, much like song of C. ardesiaca but slightly higher frequency; calls include harsh “zhiek!” and lower “schek”. In aggression or courtship, male occasionally produces fairly loud whirring sound with outer remiges while in low flight.

In Colombia, nest found in Feb in Valle (upper Anchicayá Valley) and birds in breeding condition in Mar–Jun in C Andes. Nest was a concealed bulky cup 0·8 m up in forest. Territories in N Ecuador may be less than 200 m wide. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Fairly common to uncommon and local, easily overlooked. In N Ecuador, density estimated at 1 pair/ha at appropriate elevations on Mt Sumaco (Napo). In Peru, uncommon in Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve, in Cuzco. Probably benefits from natural or man-made openings in forest, allowing denser growth of vegetation.