Antipitta tours in Mindo, Ecuador

Grallariidae is a family of smallish passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America known as antpittas They are between 10 and 20 cm (4–8 in) in length, and are related to the antbirds, Thamnophilidae, and gnateaters, Conopophagidae. They were also formerly placed in the Formicariidae, but studies by Rice (2005) indicated a distinct family was supported. Both the North American and South American committees of the AOU recognized the family soon after. This family contains probably (see below) 68 species in one large and four fairly small genera.
These are forest birds that tend to feed at or near the ground since many are specialist ant eaters. Most are drab in appearance with shades of (rusty) brown, black, and white being their dominant tones. Compared to other birds that specialize in following ants, this family is the most tied to the ground. The long, powerful legs (which lend the birds a distinctive upright posture) and an essentially vestigial tail aid this lifestyle.

They lay 1 to 6  eggs in a nest in a tree, both sexes incubating.

Help us save the habitat of the Antpittas 

Stay at our amazing Choco Toucan Reserve & Bird Lodge in Ecuador
 

INCREDIBLE footage of Antpittas of Ecuador Video by Hans Heinz