Táchira antpitta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Táchira antpitta |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Grallaria
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| Species: |
chthonia
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The Táchira antpitta (Grallaria chthonia) is a very rare bird. For a long time, people thought it might be extinct. But in June 2016, scientists found it again! This special bird lives in Venezuela's El Tamá National Park. It belongs to a bird family called Grallariidae.
Contents
What Does the Táchira Antpitta Look Like?
The Táchira antpitta is about 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) long. That's about the size of a small ruler.
- Its back and top parts are brownish.
- The top of its head and the back of its neck are grey.
- It has black stripes on its back.
- Its throat and the feathers covering its ears are brown.
- A white stripe runs along its cheek.
- The lower part of its belly is whitish.
- Its sides and chest have grey stripes.
The Táchira Antpitta's Journey: From Lost to Found
For many years, no one saw the Táchira antpitta. The last time it was seen was in 1956. Between 1955 and 1956, two bird experts, William H. Phelps Jr. and Alexander Wetmore, collected four of these birds. They found them in a place called La Providencia near the Rio Chiquita in Táchira, Venezuela.
Why Was It So Hard to Find?
The area where these birds lived, including parts of El Tamá National Park, changed a lot. Between 1990 and 1996, the cloud forest in the Rio Chiquita valley was cut down. Much of it was turned into coffee plantations. Other parts were cleared for vegetable gardens. This meant the bird's home was disappearing.
Even with many searches from 1990 to 1996, no one could find the Táchira antpitta. Because it was so hard to find, experts worried it might be gone forever. In 2008, its status was changed to critically endangered. This means it was at a very high risk of becoming extinct.
A Happy Rediscovery!
Then, in June 2016, something amazing happened! A team of scientists found the Táchira antpitta again. They were part of a group called the Red Siskin Initiative. This group works to protect birds.
The team got the first-ever sound recordings of the bird's calls. They also took the first photographs of a living Táchira antpitta. This rediscovery brought hope for the future of this rare bird.
