Slaty Gnateater

The olive-gray mosquito eater ( Conopophaga ardesiaca ), sometimes called gray breast mosquito eater, is a species of bird in the family of mosquito eater ( Conopophagidae ). The species has a large distribution area, which includes the South American countries of Peru and Bolivia. The stock is assessed by the IUCN as endangered not (Least Concern ).

Features

The olive-gray mosquito eater reaches a body length of about 13 to 13.5 centimeters. The lower mandible is brighter than the upper beak. The upper side of the male is olive brown. The back springs have irregular black borders. Behind the eye, it has a silver-white tufted stripes. The coloring of the underside is a lead- colored gray, which is whitish on the belly. The female is very similar to the male, but has an orange head. It has virtually no postokularen strips. The sides decorated with a distinct shade of brown.

Distribution and habitat

The bird occasionally occurs in the undergrowth of mountain forests and the forest edges. It is found at altitudes 800-2075 meters, but usually 1000-1700 meters.

Behavior

Usually the bird is individually or in pairs on the go. He usually sits in the branches of the deeper Stratifikationsschichten. Nevertheless, he is seen very rarely on the ground. He jumps from branch to branch, always on the hunt for prey. He is rarely seen with other species of birds. Even when you can watch him infrequently, the bird does not seem to be particularly shy.

Subspecies

There are two subspecies have been described which differ mainly in their coloring:

• Conopophaga ardesiaca ardesiaca d' Orbigny & Lafresnaye 1837 nominate form is present in the department of La Paz in Bolivia
• Conopophaga ardesiaca saturata Berlepsch & proud man, 1906 differs from the nominate form in that it is a bit darker with a strong Olivtönung. The underside, including the gray side of the head looks a bit darker. The side and the rump are much browner. Come on the eastern slopes of southern Peru south before the district La Oroya. Is relatively common in the region Cusco present, where its habitat with the end of the grill mosquito eater ( Conopophaga castaneiceps ) overlaps.