Members of the family Formicariidae are known as anthrushes. They are drab in appearance with plumages that vary among shades of rufous, brown, gray and black. Anthrushes have chuncky bodies, small heads, and long legs. Their wings are round and have a short cocked tail. They resemble a small rooster, hence they are also known as “gallitos” Spanish for little rooster. They fly rather well, but mostly walk on the interior
forest floor. Anthrushes have distinctive voices and are among the most notorious bird voices in the areas they occur. They are similar in appearance to antpittas (Grallaridae) and gnateaters (Conopophagidae), but Anthrushes have different posture and a cocked tail. They look more like rails. Their sexes are alike. There are two genera and six species of anthrushes known to occur in Peru. Photo: Rufous-breasted Antthrush © Alfredo Begazo.
RHINOCRYPTIDAE: Tapaculos – Tapaculos