Grallaria rufocinerea P.L.Sclater & Salvin, 1879

Grallaria antpittas, the group that includes this species, are described as a wonderful group of plump, round antbirds that often hold their feathers fluffed up, with stout bills and very short tails.

Species Measurements

This species, the bicolored antpitta, measures 15 to 18 cm (5.9 to 7.1 in) in length; one recorded individual weighed 44.8 g (1.6 oz).

Plumage Dimorphism

Males and females have identical plumage.

Adult Upperpart Coloring

Adults have mostly rufous-brown or ferruginous red coloring on the head, throat, upperparts, wings, and tail, with the throat being slightly more rufous than other areas and showing some grayish mottling.

Adult Underpart Coloring

Their underparts are mostly gray to sooty gray, with a whitish central belly and whitish edges along the breast, side, and flank feathers.

Soft Part Features

Both sexes have a dark brown iris, a black bill, and gray to brownish gray legs and feet.

Historical Range Belief

The bicolored antpitta was long considered to be endemic only to Colombia, but in 1999 researchers found its range extends a short distance into extreme northern Ecuador, specifically into Sucumbíos Province.

Colombian Distribution

In Colombia, the species has a disjunct distribution across the country's Central Andes. One population occurs from southern Antioquia Department south into northern Tolima Department. The second population ranges from western Huila Department south into Ecuador.

Habitat Preferences

This species lives in the temperate zone, where it primarily inhabits the floor and understory of humid montane cloudforest up to the treeline. It can also be found at forest edges and in secondary forest.

Elevation Range

Its elevation range is between 2,000 and 3,100 m (6,600 and 10,200 ft) in Colombia, while in Ecuador it is only recorded at approximately 2,250 m (7,400 ft).