Biology
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Very little is known of this very secretive antpitta (3). It is thought to breed in October and November, and it is known to feed on insects, worms and millipedes (2).
Conservation
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The discovery of this antpitta led to the establishment of Fundacion Jocotoco, which initiated efforts to protect the locality at which the species was first discovered; to this end, the Tapichalaca Reserve was set up at the site (6). In September 2003 the Christopher Parsons Memorial Forest, adjacent to the Tapichalaca Reserve, was purchased with the help of the World Land Trust following an appeal launched by Sir David Attenborough. Christopher Parsons was described by Sir Attenborough as the most important natural history film maker of the last century. His last project before his death in 2002 was the development of ARKive. He was a trustee of the World Land Trust and the reserve is a fitting memorial to his life's passion (7).
Description
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This species was first discovered in Ecuador in 1997 by ornithologist Bob Ridgely. Antpittas are shy birds that typically have rounded bodies and legs that they use to hop across the forest floor. They are members of the ant bird family (Formicariidae), which are so-called as some of the species follow army ants, feeding on small insects disturbed by the ants (3). The Jocotoco antpitta is fairly large, about the size of a small melon (3), with a black crown, dark grey nape and face, and a bold white 'moustache'. The upperparts are greyish-brown with rust-coloured wings, and the underparts are whitish-grey. The bill is black and the legs are grey (2).
Habitat
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Inhabits undergrowth in wet montane evergreen forests, where there are low trees and bamboo (2), at altitudes of 2700 to 2200 m (3).
Range
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This species is known from very few locations. Until recently, it was believed to be endemic to Ecuador, where it is found in Quebrada Honda, Podocarpus National Park and Xerro Toledo, Zamora-Chinchipe (2). However, it has since been found in northern Peru (4).
Status
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Classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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Quebrada Honda is close to a road and the area is threatened by gold mining and logging, even within Podocarpus National Park. Habitat loss caused by farming and human settlement is also a problem (2). Sadly, this rare bird also faces the occasional threat of collection for museums; in 2006 scientists from Louisiana Museum captured and killed two out of three specimens of the Jocotoco antpitta recently discovered in northern Peru (5).
Jocotoco antpitta
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The jocotoco antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi) is an endangered antpitta, a bird from Ecuador and Peru. It was discovered in 1997, and scientifically described in 1999.
Description
The jocotoco antpitta is a large (150–200 g) antpitta 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 owl.
Taxonomy
Its closest relatives appear to be the chestnut-naped antpitta and the pale-billed antpitta, with which it forms a group of antpittas with uniform breast plumage and smoky-grey flanks.[2]
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.[2]
Distribution and habitat
The antpitta is known only from a very small number of locations in southeastern Ecuador and adjacent Peru, and appears to be declining. It was believed to be limited to the upper Chinchipe River 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 altitudes of 2,250 to 2,700 meters.[2]
Conservation and status
To protect the presumably small population, the Tapichalaca Biological Reserve was established on behalf of Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco in 1998.
The IUCN classifies it as endangered (B1ab(i, ii, iii, v)). This means that based on 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. Owing to its shyness and the call, which might be mistaken for that of a rufous-banded owl, it could be more widespread than now known, although surveys at several seemingly appropriate localities have failed to find any evidence of it.
References
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Jocotoco antpitta: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Grallaria ridgelyi
The jocotoco antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi) is an endangered antpitta, a bird from Ecuador and Peru. It was discovered in 1997, and scientifically described in 1999.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Grallaria ridgelyi 
