Oxapampa antpitta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oxapampa antpitta |
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Grallaria
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centralis
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The Oxapampa antpitta (Grallaria centralis) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the family called Grallariidae. This bird is found only in Peru, which means it is endemic there.
For a long time, people thought the Oxapampa antpitta was just a group of chestnut antpittas. But in 2020, scientists like Peter A. Hosner and his team studied it closely. They found enough differences to say it was a completely new species!
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Discovering the Oxapampa Antpitta
Scientists decided the Oxapampa antpitta was a new species for a few reasons. They looked at its plumage (the color and pattern of its feathers). They also listened carefully to its songs and calls. Finally, they used DNA evidence from its cells. All these clues showed it was different from other antpittas.
What Its Name Means
The bird's common name, Oxapampa antpitta, comes from the Oxapampa Province in Peru. This is where the first examples of this bird were found. Its scientific name, centralis, means "central." This name was chosen because the bird lives close to the middle of Peru.
Where the Oxapampa Antpitta Lives
The Oxapampa antpitta lives only on the eastern side of the Peruvian Andes mountains. You can find it in the areas of Huánaco, Pasco, and Junín.
Its Home in the Forest
These birds like to live in wet montane forests. These are forests found on mountains. They spend most of their time in the understory (the plants and small trees below the main tree canopy) and on the forest floor.
The Oxapampa antpitta is separated from a similar bird, the Ayacucho antpitta, by the Mantaro River. This river acts like a natural barrier between their homes.
See also
- In Spanish: Tororoí de Oxapampa para niños
