Táchira Antpitta

The Táchira - Ameisenpitta ( Grallaria Chthonia ) is a species of bird in the family of Ameisenpittas ( Grallariidae ), which was last spotted in 1956.

Description

The Táchira - Ameisenpitta reaches a length of 17 cm. The top is brown, hood and neck are gray. The coat is black banded. The throat and the ear covers are brown. Furthermore, it is characterized by a white cheek stripe. The lower body is whitish, the flanks and breast are gray banded.

Status

The Táchira - Ameisenpitta is known only from four specimens. In February 1955 Ramon Urbano discovered in the terra typica at Hacienda la Providencia on the Rio Chiquita in the southwestern part of the Venezuelan state of Táchira a male, which is classified as holotype. Three other specimens were collected in 1955 and 1956. Despite intensive search between the years 1990 and 1996 could not be found again the way. The region is located in El Tamá National Park and usable habitat still exists. The valley of the Rio Chiquita, however, was changed in 1996 below the altitude of 1600 meters by coffee plantations.