EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

5-11 December 2022

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Giant Antpitta

Giant Antpitta (Grallaria gigantea), Family Grallariidae
Mindo, Ecuador

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  This is the giant of its kind! ... although it is odd for a bird with "ant" in its name to also be titled "giant."  

Suddenly -- and very briefly -- appearing with no sound or warning out of the dense cloud forest vegetation in the west slopes of the Andes Mountains, here near the town of Mindo in Ecuador, was this largest of the antpittas, the Giant Antpitta.  

This rare species occurs only in such mid-elevation Andean forests of Ecuador and southern Columbia, and is IUCN Red-Listed as Vulnerable based on its small distributional range and decline in habitat.  



  

    

Next week's picture:  Life in the Flooded Forest

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