The Boyaca Antpitta is super interesting because it is one of very few Antpittas that are not hard to see out in the open without any type luring them out. They inhabit mostly open Paramo habitat so hiding in the forest is not an option for them. Their range is restricted to the Eastern Andes at high elevation (9000 to 13000 feet). They are a Colombian endemic. We saw ours in the famous Sumapaz National Park.
The Equatorial Antpitta is another of the 15 species split out from what was formerly known as the Rufous Antpitta. I think the Equatorial one is the one that most fits the old name of Rufous as it is truly rufous all over whereas some of the others have some other distinguishing mark. This is one of the most widely ranging of the Rufous complex and can be found in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. We saw ours in Colombia.
The Muisca Antpitta is another of the 15 species that were split from the Rufous Antpitta complex. This species was split from several nearby species that are separated by mountain ranges or river valleys. The IUCN classification still considers the overall Rufous grouping so it is listed as Least Concern but if they ever catch up to the new species break-out, it will undoubtedly throw this species into a more perilous category due to habitat loss. As you can see from this picture, a local in Colombia has trained this bird to come out in the open for pictures by feeding it meal worms or grubs.
The Bicolored Antpitta is one of the 15 species in the Rufous Antpitta complex. It has a relatively small range in the Colombian and Ecuadorean Andes. It was previously thought to be a Colombian endemic but a few have been found just over the border in Ecuador. It is mostly found at elevations above 7000 ft.
Here is another of the Antpittas that entrepreneurs in Colombia have established a symbiotic relationship with. The Antpittas get a reliable source of food with worms and grubs, they get their habitat protected and the locals get money from visiting birders. Everyone wins. This one was a good 20 minute hike into the forest so it felt a little more satisfying than the ones we saw on the sides of roads. Some of the Antpittas have a comical or friendly look to them, but this one was kind of angry looking. That being said it jumped up into my outstretched hand to take a worm so he wasn't as angry as he looks.
The Santa Marta Antpitta is a Colombian endemic that is vulnerable per IUCN classification. It is only found in a very small range in the Santa Marta mountains of northeast Colombia. The genus Galleria includes 47 species! Many of them are very shy birds that have been increasingly accessed by innovative locals spending time to cultivate a relationship with the birds. They sometimes have to work over years to get the birds to come in for pictures reliably but it pays off because the offspring of those birds are learning to trust these local entrepreneurs which creates a lasting model for conservation, local employment and happy visiting birders.
I suppose I couldn't have asked for better photo ops on this Antpitta. On my second trip to Colombia, we made many stops to various locations where the locals have trained the Antpittas to come for worms or grubs. These normally secretive birds have become accustomed to being the subject of many photos from visiting birders from all over the globe. This particular bird almost seemed to enjoy the limelight. This species is found up and down the Andes from Peru to Venezuela.
