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VARIEGATED ANTPITTA
  Bird Call
| Characteristics: |
20 cm long and weighs approx. 125 g. The Variegated Antpitta is a ground-dwelling bird. It has a large head and eyes, long legs and a short tail. Its crown and neck have grey and black feathers circled with fine, white stripes in the middle. It has a white moustache and a dark brown throat with white stripes. The belly has a grey and cinnamon scale-like colouring. Its back is olive green and its wings and tail are a reddish-brown colour. The iris is dark brown. The bill and legs are light coloured.
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| Call: |
A fast and rising sequence of about 10 bu sounds. The sounds are deep and resounding and the tone sounds like that of a pigeon or a large owl. Mostly sings at sundown and is well known in Brazil under the name of Mãe-da-noite (Mother of the night).
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| Habitat: |
When looking for food, the Variegated Antpitta runs and jumps around the forest floor. To rest, he looks for a branch or tree that is touching the ground. It is a bird that is highly dependent on natural forests.
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| Distribution: |
This species can be found in certain areas of the Amazon region and in coastal rain forests.
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| Biology: |
This species is very shy and is rarely to be seen on the forest floor. It is either found alone or in pairs and has the habit of killing ants or other arthropods with caustic agents from its body and feathers. It is assumed that these substances help it combat parasites living on its own body. The nest is an open cup built from dry plant matter. The female usually lays 2 blue-green eggs.
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