Grallaria flavotincta P.L.Sclater, 1877

Genus Characteristics

Grallaria, the antpitta genus, is a distinct group of plump, round antbirds whose feathers are often fluffed, and members have stout bills and very short tails.

Species Size

The yellow-breasted antpitta, Grallaria flavotincta, measures 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) in length; one recorded individual weighed 63 g (2.2 oz).

Sexual Plumage Similarity

This species has identical plumage in both sexes.

Adult Head Plumage

Adult yellow-breasted antpittas have a dusky gray forecrown and lores, with pale bluish-white or grayish-white bare skin surrounding the eye.

Adult Upperpart Plumage

Their crown, back, rump, wings, and tail are solid unmarked rufous brown.

Adult Underpart Plumage

Most of their underparts are white with a prominent yellow wash; this yellow is darkest on the throat and upper breast, and fades to white on the sides, flanks, and lower belly.

Plumage Transition Detail

The rufous brown of the upperparts extends irregularly onto the sides, flanks, and crissum.

Adult Soft Part Coloration

Adult males and females share the same soft part coloration: a dark brown iris, a black bill, and bluish gray legs and feet.

Juvenile Head Characteristics

Juveniles have an almost entirely dark gray head, with bare yellowish to orangish yellow skin around the eye.

Juvenile Upperpart Plumage

Their upperparts match adult coloration, with the addition of some irregular dark gray patches.

Juvenile Throat Plumage

A juvenile's throat is mostly gray, with only a faint trace of yellow.

Juvenile Underpart Plumage

The rest of a juvenile's underparts are mottled yellow and gray, with some chestnut brown splotches.

Juvenile Soft Part Coloration

Juveniles have a dusky gray maxilla with a slightly paler tip, a bright orange mandible, and pinkish gray to pinkish blue legs and feet.

Species Distribution

The yellow-breasted antpitta is distributed along the Pacific slope of the Andes, ranging from Antioquia Department in northwestern Colombia south to Pichincha Province in northwestern Ecuador.

Primary Habitat

It primarily lives in the interior understory of humid montane forest, where it prefers steep slopes and areas alongside watercourses in ravines.

Secondary Habitat

It can also be found at forest edges.

Elevational Range

Its elevational range is 1,300 to 2,100 m (4,300 to 6,900 ft) in Colombia, and 1,500 to 2,350 m (4,900 to 7,700 ft) in Ecuador.