Family Conopophagidae

Family Conopophagidae - chestnut-crowned gnateater
The gnateaters of the family, Conopophagidae are small bird with round short tails and long legs. They are upright when standing. Their plumage consistes of shades of gray, brown, black and rufous. All species within the family conopophagidae have a white tuft behind the eye and are sexually dimorphic. Due to their remote and dim habitat, gnateaters are a little-studied and poorly known. Gnateaters live in the humid forest understory habitats near the forest floor, seldom rising more than 1.5 m above the ground.
Gnateaters are insectivorous. The members of the genus Conopophaga feed mostly using two methods; one is to perch above the forest floor until prey is spotted, then launch down to the ground to snatch it and return to a perch above the ground. They also glean insects from the foliage. Some have been recorded following army ants swarms. There is one genus and four species of gnateaters known to occur in Peru. Photo:Chestnut-crowned Gnateater ©Pia Oberg.
Family CONOPOPHAGIDAE
Gnateaters Jejeneros
Chestnut-belted Gnateater Jejenero de Faja Castaña Conopophaga aurita
Ash-throated Gnateater Jejenero de Garganta Ceniza Conopophaga peruviana
Chestnut-crowned Gnateater Jejenero de Corona Castaña Conopophaga castaneiceps
Slaty Gnateater Jejenero Pizarroso Conopophaga ardesiaca
peru aves - birdsMELANOPAREIIDAE: Crescentchests – Toc Tocs  GRALLARIIDAE: Antpittas – Tororoisperu aves