Jocotoco Antpitta
Encyclopedia
The Jocotoco Antpitta, Grallaria ridgelyi, is an endangered antpitta, a bird
from Ecuador
and Peru
. It was only discovered in 1997, and scientifically described in 1999.
.
and the Pale-billed Antpitta
, with which it forms a group of antpittas with uniform breast plumage and smoky-grey flanks (Krabbe et al. 1999). As with other true antpittas, assignment to the Formicariidae
family
is in need of verification (Rice 2005).
This bird's specific name honors the ornithologist Robert S. Ridgely, who took part in the initial discovery of this species. The common name
refers to the local name of the bird, jocotoco, which is onomatopoetic after its hooting calls and song (Krabbe et al. 1999).
drainage in Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador
, but in 2006 a population was discovered in Cordillera del Cóndor
in Cajamarca
, Peru
. It inhabits only wet, mossy forest with ample Chusquea
bamboo
stands and silvery-leaved Cecropia
trees. It is found at an altitude of 2,250 to 2,700 meters (Krabbe et al. 1999).
in 1998.
The IUCN classifies it as Endangered (B1ab(i, ii,iii, v)). This means that based on currently available data, it is estimated to occur in no more than five locations over a total area of less than 5000 km², with both habitat quality and availability, and numbers declining, and some of the subpopulations in danger of disappearance. Due to its shyness and the call which might be mistaken for that of a Rufous-banded Owl, it could be more widespread than presently known, although surveys at several seemingly appropriate localties have failed to find any evidence of it.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
from Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. It was only discovered in 1997, and scientifically described in 1999.
Description
The new species is a large (150–200 g) ground antbird with a striking head pattern showing tufts of white plumes beneath the eyes. It has a song similar to the hooting of the Rufous-banded OwlRufous-banded Owl
The Rufous-banded Owl is a species of owl in the Strigidae family. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:...
.
Taxonomy
Its closest relative appears to be the Chestnut-naped AntpittaChestnut-naped Antpitta
The Chestnut-naped Antpitta is a species of bird tentatively placed in the family Formicariidae; it might belong to a more distinct lineage though....
and the Pale-billed Antpitta
Pale-billed Antpitta
The Pale-billed Antpitta is a species of bird in the Formicariidae family. It is endemic to highland forests in the Andes of northern Peru.- References :* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
, with which it forms a group of antpittas with uniform breast plumage and smoky-grey flanks (Krabbe et al. 1999). As with other true antpittas, assignment to the Formicariidae
Formicariidae
The Formicariidae, formicariids, or ground antbirds are a family of smallish passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are between 10 and 20 cm in length, and are related to the antbirds, Thamnophilidae, and gnateaters, Conopophagidae...
family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
is in need of verification (Rice 2005).
This bird's specific name honors the ornithologist Robert S. Ridgely, who took part in the initial discovery of this species. The common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
refers to the local name of the bird, jocotoco, which is onomatopoetic after its hooting calls and song (Krabbe et al. 1999).
Distribution and habitat
The antpitta is presently known only from a very small number of locations in southeastern Ecuador and adjacent Peru, and appears to be declining.It was initially believed to be limited to the upper Chinchipe RiverChinchipe river
The Chinchipe River is a river in northern Peru. It rises in the Cajamarca Region's San Ignacio Province and flows in an eastwardly direction....
drainage in Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, but in 2006 a population was discovered in Cordillera del Cóndor
Cordillera del Cóndor
The Cordillera del Condor is a range in Ecuador and Peru....
in Cajamarca
Cajamarca Province
Cajamarca Province is a province of the Cajamarca Region in Peru.- Political division :The province measures and is divided into twelve districts:- References : Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática. . Retrieved November 4, 2007....
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. It inhabits only wet, mossy forest with ample Chusquea
Chusquea
Chusquea is a genus of bamboo with about 150 species. Most of them are mountain clumping bamboos native from southern Mexico to southern Chile and Argentina. They are sometimes referred to as South American mountain bamboos. Unlike most other bamboos, the stems of these species are solid, not hollow...
bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
stands and silvery-leaved Cecropia
Cecropia
Cecropia is a Neotropical genus presently consisting of sixty-one recognized species with a highly distinctive lineage of dioecious trees....
trees. It is found at an altitude of 2,250 to 2,700 meters (Krabbe et al. 1999).
Conservation and status
To protect the presumably small population, the Tapichalaca Biological Reserve was established on behalf of Fundación de Conservación JocotocoFundación de Conservación Jocotoco
Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco is an Ecuadorian non-governmental environmental organization. Fundación Jocotoco was founded in 1998 when a group of conservationists came together to purchase the type locality of the newly discovered Jocotoco Antpitta . Robert S...
in 1998.
The IUCN classifies it as Endangered (B1ab(i, ii,iii, v)). This means that based on currently available data, it is estimated to occur in no more than five locations over a total area of less than 5000 km², with both habitat quality and availability, and numbers declining, and some of the subpopulations in danger of disappearance. Due to its shyness and the call which might be mistaken for that of a Rufous-banded Owl, it could be more widespread than presently known, although surveys at several seemingly appropriate localties have failed to find any evidence of it.
External links
- BirdLife InternationalBirdLife InternationalBirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
: Jocotoco Antpitta Species Factsheet. Retrieved 2007-FEB-22. - mindobirds.com: Jocotoco Antpitta photo. Retrieved 2007-FEB-22.
- World Land TrustWorld Land TrustThe World Land Trust is a UK-based nonprofit environmental organization established in 1989. Its primary aims are to ensure conservation of plants, animals and natural communities in areas at risk...
: Jocotoco Antpitta Grallaria ridgelyi. Retrieved 2007-FEB-22.
