Puno Antpitta

INTRODUCTION:
The Puno Antpitta was previously included in the complex of Rufous Antpitta with 15 other species, and it was described in 2020. It is endemic to the Andes of S Peru and extreme W Bolivia.
It is the final newly described species with the name Puno Antpitta. The specific epithet “sinaensis” comes from the species’ type locality, the Sina District, in the department of Puno, Peru.

The Puno Antpitta was collected in temperate forest, but it is found at high elevations in dense undergrowth at treeline, often near river or at forest edges. It feeds on insects and arthropods caught on the forest floor.
The breeding biology of the species is unknown.

The Puno Antpitta has a very small range where it occurs in some National Parks. The species is not currently recognized as a full species, and the status are unknown.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BIRD:
Biometrics:
Length: 14-15 cm
Weight: M: 34 g

Antpittas are plump, round birds with short tail and long legs.
The Puno Antpitta has dark reddish yellow-brown head and upperparts. On the upperwing, the flight-feathers are slightly darker with paler edges. The short tail shows similar pattern.

On the paler underparts, chin, throat and breast are pale reddish yellow-brown, with rufous tinge on both chin and throat. Belly and undertail-coverts are pale buffy-brown, whereas flanks are dark reddish yellow-brown like the upperparts. Lower breast and belly show thin darker streaks formed by the dark shafts of the feathers.

The head is dark reddish yellow-brown. We can see a conspicuous “broken” white eyering above and below the rear half of the eye. Around the bill base, the feathers are erected, probably used as rictal bristles while foraging for insetcs.
The bill is black.
The eyes are dark brown.
Long legs and feet are bluish-grey.

Male and female are similar.
The juvenile is not described.

RANGE:
The Puno Antpitta has very restricted range in Puno Department, Peru, and La Paz Department, Bolivia.
The species occurs on the east slopes of the Andes of extreme SE Peru (Puno) and adjacent Bolivia (extreme western La Paz).

HABITAT:
The Puno Antpitta was first collected in temperate forest at 3,100 metres of elevation. This species usually occurs between 2,700 and 3,150 metres. It frequents the cloud forest.
In Bolivia, it can be found in areas with dense undergrowth at treeline, often along rivers, but also at forest edges, sometimes with bamboo patches.

CALLS AND SONGS: SOUNDS BY XENO-CANTO
The Puno Antpitta has two types of vocalizations named Long Song and Short Song.
The Long Song resembles the songs of several related species, whereas the Short Song differs between the members of the clade.
The long Song is described as a thrill of about 20 notes given at 3-5 second intervals. At the beginning, the pitch falls slightly and then, increases in the second half of the series. The notes are slightly down slurred. It is described as “ku-ku kew kew kew ku”. It is probably used to advertise the territory.
The Short Song is simple, including only two clear, down slurred whistles given quickly “pih-pipee”.
The Puno Antpitta usually sings from a low perch, sometimes from the ground.
The antpittas living at high elevation like the Puno Antpitta may sing throughout the day.

BEHAVIOUR IN THE WILD:
The Puno Antpitta is a terrestrial bird. It forages on the ground, alone or in pair, hopping quickly on the forest floor and low in the undergrowth, helped by its long legs. It probes the soft soil with the bill, turns over dead leaves and pauses from time to time to peer intently while searching for insect prey. It favours areas with thickets of Chusquea bamboo.
While skulking about in the dense undergrowth, the bird often utters the short, far-carrying two-note call in long series, and the pairs are typically in vocal contact.

The diet is not well known, but it probably consumes prey similar to that of other related antpittas of genus Grallaria, such as insects, arthropods, earthworms and other invertebrates.

The breeding biology of the Puno Antpitta is unknown. They are very shy birds living in densely vegetated habitats, making them difficult to observe.

The Grallariidae are usually monogamous and both parents share the nesting duties.
The courtship displays of this species are probably simple as both male and female have similar appearance. These birds are known to be vocal, and both mates probably communicate with songs during this period. The pair bonds are emphasized by songs.
Most nests are simple shallow cups, placed in leaves or moss on tree or against a tree trunk.

The Puno Antpitta is presumably sedentary within the restricted range.
The rounded wings and the short tail do not allow long-distance flights, but the Puno Antpitta is mainly terrestrial and usually seen on the ground or low in the vegetation.

REPRODUCTION OF THIS SPECIES:
The breeding season of the Puno Antpitta appears to include October.
The breeding behaviour is poorly known.
Some described nests of Grallaridae are a simple, shallow, cup-shaped structure lined with rootlets, plant fibres and leaves. It is often built in tree among dead leaves or moss, but some nests are built in the vegetation growing against the trunk, or on a branch at fork. The height varies between 1 and 3 metres above the ground.

The typical clutch contains two eggs. The incubation lasts about 16-17 days, and the young leave the nest 15-20 days after hatching, often before to be able to fly. But they are mainly terrestrial birds.
Both parents share the nesting duties.

You will find here some information about the nesting behaviour of this family:
The bird and its nest, where everything starts… Page 4

PROTECTION / THREATS / STATUS:
The IUCN does not recognize the Puno Antpitta and so has not assessed it. The status is currently unknown.
The species is known to occur within the Parque Nacional Madidi in Bolivia. It is confined to the Bolivian and Peruvian Upper Yungas Endemic Bird Areas. This region is considered to be of urgent conservation priority.