Watching Wildlife

The Grallaria alvarezi, commonly known as the Chami Antpitta, is one of the most recent and exciting additions to the world of ornithology, formally described in 2020. This endemic Colombian species is distinguished by its unique vocalizations and its preference for dense Andean understory, making it a significant discovery for the country’s biodiversity. Its existence was confirmed through a combination of genetic analysis and detailed field studies.

The Masked Trogon is a medium-sized bird, typically measuring around 25 to 28 cm (9.8 to 11 inches) in length. Its striking appearance is characterized by iridescent feathers that shimmer with various hues depending on the light.

The Spotted Antbird is a small, striking bird found in the understory of tropical forests. Adults measure about 12.5 cm (5 inches) in length. Males have a black face, throat, and upper chest, contrasting sharply with a white belly that’s covered in bold black spots—hence the name «Spotted.» Their upperparts are olive-brown with chestnut-colored wings marked by white wingbars. Females are similar but duller overall, with a more subdued face pattern and less contrast in the spotting.

The booted racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii) is a species of hummingbird. It is found in the Andean cordillera of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. A population also occurs on the Venezuelan coast. This is the only species in the monotypic genus Ocreatus.

Silent bird that lives in low strata of humid forests. Its name Malacoptila means soft plumage and derives from the Greek roots malakos = soft and ptilon = plumage. His epithet mystacalis means mustache and comes from the Greek mustax, mustakos.

Of the Puffbirds it is one of the most conspicuous and active species. Currently the taxonomic status of its subspecies is under discussion. Its name Hypnelus derives from the Greek hupnelos = sleepy and the epithet ruficollis means reddish neck and derives from the Latin rufus = reddish and collis = neck.

Previously classified in the genus Piculus, this species is quite polytypic and in Colombia there are at least 4 races. Its name Colaptes derives from the Greek kolaptes = pecker, chiseller. The epithet rubiginosus derives from Latin and means reddish.

The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard two of its subspecies as full species, the western cattle egret and the eastern cattle egret.