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Giant Antpitta
C B Allen

Giant Antpitta (Grallaria gigantea)

Fantastic large, once almost mythical antpitta of Andean cloud forest in Ecuador and southern Colombia.

On an amazing morning it felt as though the Giant Antpitta's were looking for us rather than the opposite and we saw possibly as many as 6 different individuals in 4 distinct areas. This individual was one of the first 2 birds who literally "met" us on the track to the Cock-of-the-Rock lek only minutes after arriving on site. They proceeded to entertain us for several minutes at close range. Hard to believe that some birders struggle to see this species here - but I know that does happen. Totally awesome experience.
Click to expand...
Habitat
Cloud forest (but mainly in secondary forest/more open scrub) around 1900m.
Location
Refugio Paz de las Aves (Pichincha/Ecuador)
Date taken
16th November 2024
Scientific name
Grallaria gigantea
Equipment used
OMDS/OM-1 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro + 1.4x TC
Shutter speed, aperture & ISO
see image metadata
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Reactions: Peerke, Э́ллин, rkj and 8 others
Roynato
Wonderful details on this beauty, C.B.
Your love for the antpittas really show.

Did you see that the Elusive Antpitta (Grallaria eludens) was photographed and filmed I believe for the first time ever just a couple weeks ago, in the northwest amazon here in Brazil in the state of Acre?

It made the news here in Brazil.
 
C B Allen
Roynato said:
Wonderful details on this beauty, C.B.
Your love for the antpittas really show.

Did you see that the Elusive Antpitta (Grallaria eludens) was photographed and filmed I believe for the first time ever just a couple weeks ago, in the northwest amazon here in Brazil in the state of Acre?

It made the news here in Brazil.
Click to expand...
I hadn't read that yet but seems still more species to be found (or at least more existing species heading for splits as has been the case with the Tawny & Rufous Antpitta complexes. I managed to photograph 12 species - all pretty well on this trip for a change - as well as hearing three others. Hopefully on to Southern Ecuador late this year.

Thanks for your kind comments. Just checked eBird & saw "Elusive" photo! Chris.
 
delia todd
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
I'm sure they could have come up with a more decorative name for this pretty antpitta Chris LOL.

A tremendous picture you've taken of this handsome guy my friend - thanks lad.
 

Media information

Category
Central & South America & Mexico
Added by
C B Allen
Date added
View count
230
Comment count
5

Image metadata

Device
OM Digital Solutions OM-1
Aperture
ƒ/6.3000001907349
Focal length
210.0 mm
Exposure time
1/30 second(s)
ISO
3200
Flash
Off, did not fire
Filename
PB160104.jpg
File size
7.3 MB
Date taken
Sat, 16 November 2024 12:44 PM
Dimensions
4078px x 3059px

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