Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as uncommon to locally fairly common, although it is probably overlooked (Stotz et al. 1996, Krabbe and Schulenberg 2020).
Trend justification
The population trend has not been quantified across the range, but the species is suspected to be in decline owing to habitat loss. Within the range, 3% of tree cover is lost over ten years (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Given its restriction to montane forests and the potential additional impacts of forest degradation, the population may decline faster than the rate of tree cover loss suggests. The rate of decline is here placed in the band 1-9% over ten years.
This species occurs from Costa Rica south along the Andes to central Bolivia. G. f. costaricensis occurs from Costa Rica to western Panama, G. f. brevis in eastern Panama, G. f. ochraceiventris / mindoensis / zarumae along the western Andes of Colombia and Ecuador, G. f. flavirostris along the Amazonian slope in Colombia and Ecuador (and presumably northern Peru), G. f. similis in Peru south and east of Rio Marañón to Pasco, with G. f. boliviana from southeast Peru to central Bolivia.
This species inhabits the understorey of humid and wet montane forest, where it moves by hopping through thick tangled vegetation, usually within a metre of the ground using trunks and vines (Krabbe and Schulenberg 2020). It is found at elevations of 500-3,360 m, most frequently between 900 and 2,200 m. It feeds on insects.
Apparent courtship feeding was observed in May in Colombia, and a female ready to lay was collected in August in north-west Ecuador. It breeds during wetter months in Costa Rica and Boliva, whereas nests have been found in both wet and dry seasons in Ecuador (Greeney et al. 2008). Nests are placed up to 3 m above ground in small or medium-sized tree; they are cup-shaped, made of moss and lined with twigs (Krabbe and Schulenberg 2020).
Due to its dependence on humid and wet forests, deforestation is the primary threat affecting this species, particularly towards the lower portion of its altitudinal range. The main driver of forest loss is clearance for timber, agriculture and to establish land ownership rights.
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas across its range.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Monitor the population trend.
Expand the protected area network to effectively protect key sites. Effectively manage protected areas utilising emerging opportunities to finance protected area management with the joint aims of reducing carbon emissions and maximizing biodiversity conservation. Incentivise conservation on private lands through expanding market pressures for sound land management and preventing forest clearance on lands unsuitable for agriculture (Soares-Filho et al. 2006).
10cm, 14-18g. Ochre lores, eye-ring, face, throat and breast, with a variable dark malar stripe. Lower mandible fleshy yellow; upper black. Greyish-brown crown and olive-brown upperparts. Nominate race has olive-brown streaking or scallop marks on breast and usually along the tawny flanks, the belly and vent are usually white. Race ochraceiventris highly variable underneath, from plain to well streaked and colour white to ochraceous. Races boliviana and similis are brown above with buff breast feathers bordered blackish creating v-shaped scalloping and also are more heavily streaked on the throat and moustachial region. Similar spp. Rusty-breasted Antpitta G. ferrugineipectus has white spot behind eye and is brighter rufous below. Ochre-fronted Antpitta G. ochraceifrons has ochre forecrown, lores and broad eye-ring with olive-brown hindcrown; also strong black malar stripe. Voice Evenly-paced series of about 30 notes in 7 seconds rising in pitch and volume for the first half then steady. Rarely heard. Call is a short emphatic single whistle.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Dahal, P.R., Ekstrom, J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Ochre-breasted Antpitta Grallaricula flavirostris. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ochre-breasted-antpitta-grallaricula-flavirostris on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.