Grallaria hypoleuca P.L.Sclater, 1855

Taxonomy and Common Name

This species, Grallaria hypoleuca P.L.Sclater, 1855, commonly called the white-bellied antpitta, is a member of the Grallaria genus of antpittas, described as a wonderful group of plump, round antbirds that often hold their feathers fluffed up, with stout bills and very short tails.

Body Size and Weight

The white-bellied antpitta measures 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in) in length; three measured males weighed 62 to 69 g (2.2 to 2.4 oz). Males and females have identical plumage.

Nominate Subspecies Crown Plumage

Adults of the nominate subspecies G. h. hypoleuca have a rufescent brown or dusky brown crown, with some black streaks on the forecrown. They have white or gray lores set into a rufous face.

Nominate Subspecies Upperparts Plumage

Their back, rump, wings, and tail are reddish brown.

Nominate Subspecies Underparts Plumage

Their throat is white. Their breast is mostly gray with rufous brown sides, their belly is white, their flanks are olive brown or tawny brown, and their undertail coverts are tawny.

G. h. castanea Subspecies Size

Subspecies G. h. castanea is smaller than the nominate subspecies.

G. h. castanea Subspecies Plumage

Its upperparts are a much deeper color, and this deeper color extends further onto its sides and flanks.

Bare Parts Morphology

For both sexes of both subspecies, the iris is brown, the bill is black or blackish gray, and the legs and feet are blue-gray.

Distribution Pattern

The white-bellied antpitta has a disjunct distribution.

Nominate Subspecies Distribution

The nominate subspecies occurs in Colombia, on both slopes of the Central Andes in Antioquia Department, and on both slopes of the Eastern Andes between the departments of Santander and Cundinamarca.

G. h. castanea Subspecies Distribution

Subspecies G. h. castanea ranges from the upper Magdalena River Valley in Colombia, south along the eastern Andean slope through eastern Ecuador, into the Department of Cajamarca in northern Peru.

Habitat Types

The species primarily lives in humid montane forest edges and mature secondary forest. It can also be found in forest interior, where dense vegetation grows in openings created by treefall or landslides.

Elevation Range

Its elevation range is 1,400 to 2,700 m (4,600 to 8,900 ft) in Colombia, 1,400 to 2,200 m (4,600 to 7,200 ft) in Ecuador, and 1,700 to 2,100 m (5,600 to 6,900 ft) in Peru.