Atuen Antpitta

Appearance

The Atuen antpitta is about 18 cm long and apparently weighs between 58 and 65 g. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have deep cinnamon-rufous lores, eyering, and spot behind the eye. Their ear coverts are deep cinnamon-rufous with black tips that make them look sooty. They have mostly brown to dusky olive-brown crown, nape, back, wings, and tail. Their throat is cinnamon-ochraceous. Their underparts are mostly dark olive-ochraceous that is darkest on the breast. Their breast and belly feathers have small white tips that give a scaled appearance. Their flanks are buffy olive-brown. They have a chestnut brown iris, a black to blackish gray bill, and brownish gray legs and feet.

Distribution

The Atuen antpitta is found on the spine of Peru's Andes in southern Amazonas, eastern La Libertad, and San Martín departments.

Status

The IUCN has assessed the Atuen antpitta as being of Least Concern. It has a small range; its population size is not known and is believed to be stable. No immediate threats have been identified. It is considered fairly common. It occurs in at least two protected areas. "Nevertheless, Atuen Antpitta's "páramo" habitat is increasingly threatened, and populations are undoubtedly facing ongoing and ever-increasing pressure from habitat fragmentation and destruction."

Habitat

It primarily inhabits the "páramo" and nearby montane forest. In elevation it mostly occurs between 2,850 and 3,500 m.

Reproduction

The Atuen antpitta's breeding season apparently includes September. Nothing else is known about the species' breeding biology. Its nest, eggs, and breeding behavior are assumed to be similar to those of its former parent tawny antpitta, which see here.

Food

The Atuen antpitta's diet is not well documented but it is assumed to feed on a variety of insects and other invertebrates. It usually forages by itself, on the ground, hopping and pausing to flick aside leave litter, to probe mosses and the ground, and to glean from vegetation.