Crescent-faced Antpitta Grallaricula lineifrons Scientific name definitions

Crescent-faced Antpitta is one of the most strikingly plumaged members of the genus,
perhaps even of the entire family Grallariidae family. There is no recorded geographic variation within the limited range of this species. Adults are dark brown above with a slate-gray crown and nape, a bold white crescent in front of the eye, and densely streaked buff to whitish underparts. Almost nothing is known of the biology of this species, which is currently is considered Near Threatened due to continued habitat fragmentation. Although the type specimen was collected in northeastern
Ecuador in 1923, Crescent-faced Antpitta remained unreported in life until nearly 50 years later. Today, based on regular reports and sighting by tourists and researchers it is known to be more widespread than was previously thought, inhabiting the undergrowth of humid forests at elevations around 3000 m. Its known distribution is somewhat patchy, extending from southern Colombia to southern Ecuador along the east slope of the Andes. Only recently, 90 years after its formal description, was breeding of Crescent-faced Antpitta reported in the literature, based on a single nest found very close to the type locality in northeastern Ecuador.